China Tightens Restrictions on Tibetan Students During Winter Break

Chinese authorities have imposed new restrictions on Tibetan students during the winter school break, banning private Tibetan-language lessons and religious activities while mandating Mandarin-language and political education, according to anonymous sources cited by Radio Free Asia (RFA). In areas like Lhasa, Dzoge, and Ngaba, students are prohibited from wearing religious symbols or visiting monasteries. Parents must assist children in completing assignments focused on Chinese political ideology, including Xi Jinping's teachings. These measures, part of broader efforts to assimilate Tibetan culture into Han Chinese norms, have intensified since late 2023 through random inspections and strict surveillance.