China Appoints New Leaders in Lhasa Amid Tightened Party Control

During the annual "Two Sessions" of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Chinese authorities announced key leadership changes, emphasizing loyalty to Xi Jinping. Karma Tseten was elected as TAR government chairman, and Yan Jinhai now heads the TAR People’s Congress, replacing Lobsang Gyaltsen, who remains a vice chair of China’s National People’s Congress. Jiang Wenpeng, known for disciplinary investigations, was appointed director of the TAR Supervisory Committee. Meanwhile, senior Tibetan official Che Dralha is under investigation for alleged misconduct. The sessions reiterated calls for closer alignment with Xi’s leadership, signaling continued political control in Tibet.