Xi Jinping Highlights Unity and Development on Surprise Tibet Visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping made a surprise visit to Tibet on Wednesday, addressing 20,000 people in Lhasa to mark the 60th anniversary of China establishing the Tibet Autonomous Region. This was only Xi’s second presidential visit to the tightly controlled region.

Key Messages and Themes

Xi emphasized political stability, social stability, ethnic unity, and religious harmony, stressing that these are prerequisites for governing and developing Tibet. In his remarks, Xi praised the local government for its “thorough struggle against separatism”, a reference to the region’s long-standing Tibetan resistance to Beijing’s control.

Notably, Xi did not mention the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader living in exile in India since fleeing China in 1959. The Dalai Lama, now 90, recently announced that his office—not China—would choose his successor, a move opposed by Beijing, which claims it alone has authority over the selection.

Xi’s visit signals a firm assertion of control over Tibet, highlighting Beijing’s priorities:

1. Stability and security – suppressing separatism and reinforcing Party authority.

2. Economic and cultural development – promoting exchanges, Mandarin education, and national identity.

3. Environmental protection – in light of large infrastructure projects.

4. Border security – emphasizing Tibet’s strategic importance.

Policies and Local Impact

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has implemented laws mandating that Tibetan children attend state-run schools to learn Mandarin and national curricula. Religious practices are increasingly regulated, with directives for Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society.

Xi also highlighted Tibet’s role in China’s broader economic ambitions. Recently, the CCP began construction on the Motuo Hydropower Station on the Yarlung Tsangpo river. When completed, it will surpass the Three Gorges Dam as the world’s largest, with potential to generate three times more energy. While Beijing claims the project will protect the environment and improve local prosperity, analysts have raised concerns over water control downstream, particularly in India and Bangladesh, where the river feeds key waterways.

Reactions and Observations

During the visit, state media portrayed Xi’s tour as a celebration, with images showing him greeted by Tibetan dancers and cheering crowds. However, human rights organizations continue to report that Tibetans face restrictions on religious freedom and cultural practices, arguing that Beijing’s policies erode centuries-old Tibetan identity.

The visit comes amid ongoing tensions between Beijing and Tibetan exiles, as well as disputes with neighboring countries over strategic water resources. Analysts say the trip underlines Xi’s determination to reinforce Party control, assert Chinese sovereignty, and advance large-scale development projects in the region.