China defends Tibet on revolt anniversary

Chinese officials countered criticism over human rights concerns in Tibet on Wednesday, praising the efforts to modernize the region

The comments follow a US report that says China "systematically impeded travel" to Tibet and comes  ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Dalai Lama's flight into exile.

Defense of Tibet policy:

• Beijing released a policy paper on Wednesday marking 60 years of what China calls "democratic reforms" in Tibet.
• China claims to have "peacefully liberated" Tibet in 1950 and that the military intervention helped to end feudal practices there.
• An official emphasized efforts to bring the region into the modern era, including improvements in healthcare, the economy and education.
• They also denied there was significant support for Tibetan independence.

Read more: Is India snubbing the Dalai Lama?

Dalai Lama's 'bewitchments'

Deputy Tibet governor Norbu Dondrup criticized the Dalai Lama and his exile government, saying that Tibetan society was "very cruel" before Communist Rule.

"The Dalai Lama attacking our human rights totally has ulterior motives. He tramples on human rights, and has no right, no qualifications, and is unworthy of talking about human rights," he said.

"As for some countries slamming our human rights, they either don't understand or believe the Dalai clique's rumors and bewitchments," Norbu Dondrup added.

60 years in exile

The Dalai Lama is 83-year-old the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, who Beijing views as a dangerous separatist. On March 31, 1959, he crossed the border into India following a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet.

Concerns are growing over who will succeed the Dalai Lama when he dies. China has said the Communist Party must approve his reincarnation — and future ones. Last week, Dalai Lama told Reuters news agency that any successor named by China would not be respected and that his incarnation could be found in India.

US says China blocked travel

On Monday, the US State Department released a report that said the Chinese government "systematically impeded travel" to Tibet for US diplomats and officials as well as journalists and tourists in 2018.

The Tibet issue has become one of many points of contention between Washington and Beijing. In December, US President Donald Trump signed off on a law that denies entry into the US to Chinese officials that are deemed responsible for restricting travel to Tibet.

rs/rc   (AP, Reuters)

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