China Clamps Down

The Associated Press reports that China has sealed off Tibetan populations in Gansu, Sichuan and Qinghai provinces, China. Chinese officials say the areas are closed to tourists and other foreigners until late March or April.

A glance at the calendar tells us what's going on. March 10 marks the 50th anniversary of the events that caused the Dalai Lama to leave Tibet. Last year, the date was marked by several days of rioting that began in Lhasa and spread to many areas with large Tibetan populations. The clampdown is also a couple of weeks ahead of Losar -- Tibetan New Year -- which falls on February 25 this year.

China state media announced that 76 people have been sentenced and more than 950 detained since last year's violence. The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, a Tibetan exile group, says that nearly 7,000 Tibetans were arrested between March and December 2008, charged with crimes related to the March 2008 violence.

For the next few weeks I will be keeping close watch on events in Tibet and China. However, I do not expect a repeat of last year's violence, because Chinese security is maintaining tight control on Tibetans. Outside of Tibet and China, however, protests could be lively.

Discuss this topic in the Buddhism Forum!