Xi pushes for ‘new socialist Tibet.’ China’s President Xi Jinping called on Tibet to develop a wealthy, harmonious, and “new socialist Tibet” based on unity and civility on Tuesday, days after G7 nations raised concern over human rights in the region.
Xi told Xinhua that Tibet should encourage high-quality growth after “centuries” of terrible poverty.
Last year, Tibet’s economy grew by 216.5 billion yuan ($31 billion), matching China’s 3% increase. Despite its enormous economic growth, China denies limiting religious and cultural liberties in Tibet, a primarily Buddhist province.
After a weekend summit in Hiroshima, the G7 said it would continue to voice concerns about China’s human rights situation, notably in Tibet, angering Beijing, which views the territory as domestic.
“People’s happiness is the ultimate human right, while development holds the key to delivering better lives to the people,” Xi said in a congratulations letter to a Beijing symposium on Tibet’s development, according to Xinhua.
Xi visited Tibet for the first time in 30 years in 2021. Xi demanded religious tolerance at the time.
He emphasized legal and religious governance and helped Tibetan Buddhism adapt to socialism.
Chinese troops “peacefully liberated” Tibet in 1951, according to Beijing. China claims it eradicated “backward feudal serfdom” and denies wrongdoing.
After a failed revolt against Chinese control in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled Tibet and was labeled a dangerous separatist by Beijing.
