On the last day of his official visit to Tibetan settlements in West Bengal, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, President of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, visited several Tibetan monasteries and spoke on the oppressive policies of China. His visit highlighted the political instability within China, the effects of Chinese policies on Tibet, and the rising threats posed by China’s large-scale projects in the Tibetan region.
Visit to Tibetan Settlements and Monasteries
Sikyong visited the key government and non-governmental offices at the Sonada Tashiling Tibetan settlement, besides visiting a four-acre vacant plot of land owned by the settlement office before speaking to the public.
In his speech, Sikyong went into great detail regarding the political instability currently engulfing China, the challenges it faces in its economy, and the impact of Xi Jinping’s leadership on both China and Tibet.
China’s Struggling Economy and Political Instability
Sikyong discussed the ongoing political instability within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), emphasizing its negative impact on global stability. He highlighted how Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power through his anti-corruption campaign has created a climate of fear among party officials. “Loyalty to Xi is now the key to survival, and any deviation from his views could result in imprisonment or public disgrace,” Sikyong said, drawing attention to the widespread insecurity within the leadership and among Chinese officials.
Sikyong also spoke about China’s flagging economy. He had points like a sharp decline in consumer demand, shrinking workforce due to demographic changes, and the long-term impacts of China’s zero-COVID policies on its economy. “These economic challenges have led to the rise of ‘ghost towns,’ once-promising urban developments that are now abandoned,” he said.
He also referred to the trend of a so-called “lay-flat” youth movement who have abandoned the concept of a proper career because of fewer job opportunities.
Effect of the “One China” Policy and Demographic Changes
The Sikyong pointed out that the “One China” policy, which considers the People’s Republic of China as the legitimate government of all Chinese landmasses, does not extend to Tibet. He explained how China’s One-Child Policy led to major demographic changes in terms of low fertility rates, a growing population, and an uneven sex ratio at birth.
“This has posed long-term economic problems because of fewer youths supporting the aged; there is, therefore, an added burden on the social welfare system,” Sikyong pointed out.
In the same tone, he emphasized how Tibet’s problem runs much deeper in Chinese policies and a better global awareness about the Tibetan issue.
