China Deploys Military Forces to Suppress Dalai Lama's 90th Birthday

Chinese authorities dramatically escalated security operations throughout Tibet during the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday on July 6, 2025, deploying armed forces with live ammunition and conducting house-to-house searches, according to a Tibet Watch report. Video footage from Lhasa showed heavily armed special forces carrying implements designed to restrain self-immolators patrolling near Tibetan pilgrims at sacred Jokhang temple. A young Tibetan musician, Tsuktay (also known as Asang), was detained between June 30-July 6 after performing a song alluding to the Dalai Lama on Chinese social media platform Kuaishou. Chinese authorities banned traditional religious observances including prayer ceremonies and incense burning while establishing round-the-clock checkpoints. Despite overwhelming security presence, some Tibetans expressed devotion through folded hands emojis and Buddhist compassion phrases on social media.