Xi Jinping Visits Tibet to Assert Party Control and Mark 60 Years Since Autonomous Status
Xi Jinping made a surprise appearance in Lhasa on August 21, marking his second visit as president in four years to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Addressing a crowd of around 20,000 in front of the Potala Palace, Xi emphasized the importance of stability, unity, and aligning local culture with party-led development.
Party Leadership Central to Progress
Xi stressed that maintaining political stability, social cohesion, ethnic harmony, and religious balance is essential for governing and developing Tibet.
Celebrating Infrastructure and Identity
The celebrations featured songs, dances, a military parade, and slogans promoting Xi Jinping Thought. Party leaders reiterated that Tibet’s achievements under Communist Party rule prove unity under Beijing is vital.
Cultural Integration and Education Reforms
Xi called for promoting Mandarin and encouraging Tibetan Buddhism to align with socialist values. These measures reflect a broader push to foster a unified national identity across ethnic groups.
Strategic Undertones and Dampening Dissent
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Signal of Control
The rare visit to Tibet — a strategically sensitive region — underscores Xi’s intent to reinforce party governance amid escalating tensions over the Dalai Lama’s succession and Tibet’s autonomy. Repressive Backdrop
Despite Beijing’s claims of development and improved livelihoods, human rights observers criticize the region’s crackdown on religious expression, language, and political dissent.Infrastructure Megaproject: The World’s Largest Dam Underway
Meanwhile, China recently began construction on the Medog (Motuo) Hydropower Station, at 60 GW capacity, set to be the world's largest hydropower project. Located on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet, this ambitious scheme involves five cascade stations, estimated at a staggering 1.2 trillion yuan (~$167 billion) and expected to generate around 300 billion kWh annually.
Economic Boost vs. Geopolitical Concerns
While China calls the project the “project of the century” and says it will spur development, critics warn of its environmental impact and downstream effects on India and Bangladesh—raising fears of water insecurity and regional tensions.Market Impact
The announcement triggered a surge in stock prices of hydropower and infrastructure firms linked to the project, underscoring investor interest in China’s clean energy ambitions.