Mandarin Speech Contests in Tibet Push Mandarin, Threaten Tibetan Language, Experts Warn

Chinese-led Mandarin speech contests in Tibet are raising concerns among experts who say they are a tactic to erode Tibetan language and culture, reports Radio Free Asia. Held in Lhasa, monasteries, and schools, these contests require monks, nuns, and even rural Tibetans to participate, with children reportedly pressured into Chinese-language education. Activists highlight restrictions on Tibetan schools and cultural gatherings, adding that young Tibetans are particularly targeted. By 2025, China aims for Mandarin proficiency in 85% of the country, potentially accelerating what critics call a forced assimilation that threatens Tibetan identity.