The recent political meetings in China, known as the Two Sessions, have highlighted President Xi Jinping’s ongoing efforts to integrate Tibetan culture more closely with Chinese traditions. This process, often called “Sinicization,” aims to make Tibetan Buddhism and other aspects of life in Tibet align more closely with Chinese values and the ruling Communist Party’s ideologies.
During the meetings, which took place from March 4 to March 11, 2024, top Chinese officials expressed their unified support for this approach. The Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Wang Huning, explicitly mentioned Tibet in his report, discussing efforts to promote the Sinicization of Tibetan Buddhism. This aligns with the Communist Party’s broader goal to adapt all religions in China to fit a socialist society, a policy that has been in place since the 19th Party Congress in 2017.
The concept of Sinicization involves encouraging or forcing non-Chinese groups within China to adopt Chinese culture and political ideologies. This effort includes structural changes made by Xi Jinping in 2018, which placed religious policy under the direct oversight of the United Front Work Department, a key organ of the Communist Party.
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Furthermore, the Chair of the National People’s Congress, Zhao Leji, talked about ecological conservation laws for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, hinting at broader plans that could affect Tibet’s autonomy and environment. Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Qiang discussed development plans that, while not mentioning Tibet directly, could have significant implications for the region.
Despite these plans, Tibet has struggled to become economically self-reliant. The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) Governor, Yan Jinhai, admitted that TAR’s economy heavily relies on subsidies from Beijing, which account for over 90% of its finances.
The meetings also spotlighted China‘s intentions for Tibet in 2024, focusing on stability, development, ecology, and border strength. However, these discussions occur amidst increased surveillance and control over Tibetan residents, indicating China‘s ongoing concerns about the loyalty and stability of the region.
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