China Mandates Tibetan Youth in Ruthog County to Join Border Forces

The Chinese government has mandated conscription for all males turning 18 in Ruthog County, Tibet, near the Indo-Tibet border, according to a report by Tibet Times. Under Article 15 of China’s Military Service Law, eligible males must enlist by June 30, 2025. Authorities are reportedly pressuring Tibetan families, offering financial aid as an incentive for compliance. Ruthog County, deemed sensitive due to its strategic location, has seen intensified recruitment efforts alongside infrastructure projects and military outreach. Failure to comply may result in penalties, including loss of educational and job opportunities. Conscription officially begins January 1, 2025.