A recent report highlights a significant issue: many Tibetans are not getting senior positions in the Chinese government. According to the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), a rights group based in Washington, Tibetans mainly hold “token positions” in China‘s government, while most key roles are filled by Han Chinese. This information comes at a time when China’s annual parliamentary meetings, known as the “Two Sessions,” are underway.
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, a crucial policymaking group, includes only one Tibetan member, Yan Jinhai, out of 205 members. This is a drop from the previous committee, which had two Tibetan members. Bhuchung Tsering from ICT points out that this underrepresentation draws attention to the need for more Tibetans in leadership roles. “For China to claim Tibet as an integral part of the country, it’s vital to address this underrepresentation,” Tsering told RFA.
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The situation is similar at both the national and local levels, with no Tibetans in the top positions of the Politburo or the Standing Committee, the party’s highest authorities. Moreover, in the 14th National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Tibetans are notably underrepresented.
The report also sheds light on the lack of Tibetan leaders in provincial roles within the Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan-populated areas. Currently, no Tibetans hold the title of party secretary at the provincial level. This is a significant position of power, and the report notes a decrease in Tibetans holding party secretary roles compared to 2020.
Security agencies in Tibetan regions, such as the People’s Liberation Army and the Public Security Bureau, are almost entirely led by non-Tibetans. According to ICT, this indicates a lack of trust from the Chinese Communist Party towards Tibetans in security-related leadership roles.
This underrepresentation and exclusion of Tibetans from significant leadership positions in China have sparked concerns about the government’s trust and confidence in the Tibetan people. The report suggests that if given a choice, Tibetans might opt for a different governance model than the current CCP rule.
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