It has now been confirmed that a total of five Tibetans have today self-immolated, four in Amdo region and one in Kham, Eastern Tibet Details Here
Appreciation to Dossier Tibet for assistance on this report
Tag Archives: Kham
Tibetan Woman Self-Immolates In Jyekundo, Kham Region
On June 27 a Tibetan woman self-immolated in Jyekundo, Kham Region (forcibly annexed into so-called Qinghai Province by China) of Tibet Report may be seen here
Spanish Mining Company Screws Tibet For China’s Blood Money
Image:ferroatlantica/graphic courtesy of @AnonymousTibet
Maybe we are a touch under-informed, idealistic but is there not legislation operating within the European Union which restricts or prevents European corporations from activities and or partnerships which raise issues of ethics and/or can impose suffering or environmental damage to people’s beyond the EU? Furthermore, does that fragile institution not have policies, and a moral integrity, which impose a number of regulatory requirements upon European companies that seek to collaborate with China’s regime. Particularly in which an oppressed people, such as Tibetans are marginalized and whose lands and culture are negatively impacted as a consequence of such a venture?
That being so would someone at the European Union or Parliament care to explain the presence of Ferro-Atlantica, a Spanish Corporation operating near the Tibetan town of Dartsedo, in Tibet’s Eastern Region of Kham. See Here Has this company been subject to any environmental, ethical regulations, or assessed in terms of the ecological effects of its operation upon Tibetans and their environment? Have procedures been diligently followed? If so by whom and when?
We consider these to be important questions for the EU to address, which is always ready to issue platitudes in praise of the Dalai Lama, yet seems less outspoken on China’s environmental record in its colonialist exploitation of occupied Tibet. Surely i has something to say on the role of a Spanish corporation operating inside Tibet and the serious environmental consequences of locating a Silicon processing plant in such a pristine environment,apart from troubling questions on the ethics of collaboration with a regime that is viciously suppressing local Tibetans.
Online Action
If you are based with the European Union you can be a real force for good by raising this issue with your MEP. Ask them to submit questions on Ferro- Atlantica and its presence in occupied Tibet, along with the environmental and ethical concerns mentioned above. Request your MEP to obtain documentation as to what regulatory, environmental or ethical policies were exercised by the EU in endorsing this venture, to identify if an independent, EU approved, ecological risk assessment was carried out, and what system of monitoring it has put in place to properly evaluate any environmental impacts.
The MEP of your region may be identified here, along with email contact details
Dirty Games Dont Fool Tibet’s Khambas
Chinese Stormtroopers Occupy Kham's Towns
Image:phayul
According to a report by Voice of Tibet communist Chinese officials in the town of Ganzi (in Kham, East Tibet) have supposedly lifted the prohibition against Tibetans’ possessing and worshiping images of the Dalai Lama. However, the radical change of policy has generated widespread suspicions amongst local Tibetans who question the motivation behind this move. A statement given by a local monk from Drepung Monastery claimed that the communist authorities entered the town and insisted that the regime had never banned Tibetans from having images of the Dalai Lama and that Tibetans should their enjoy freedom-of-belief. “The official stated that since Dalai Lama is leader of Buddhism, Tibetan followers can worship Dalai Lama’s image from now on. Later, the official gave Tibetans a large image of the Dalai Lama.”
The region is strongly supportive of Tibetan independence and had witnessed a number of demonstrations and individual protests, little wonder that many suspect the policy change is a political trap. Since the Lhasa Uprisings of 1987 communist Chinese authorities banned Tibetans from hanging and worshipping images of the Dalai Lama. Just several months ago Chinese security troops ransacked Tibetan homes in the area, and went on to publicly burn images of the Dalai Lama in front of local Tibetans.
Khambas Protest To Save Sacred Mountain
A report from Radio Free Asia describes hundreds of Kham-Tibetans opposing gold mining at Ser Ngol Lo in Markham county, Chamdo prefecture, Kham.
According to the account “Chinese mining and Lumbering firm, Zhongkai Co, has been reportedly authorized to excavate the area where peaceful Tibetan protesters are facing armed Chinese security forces at the site”.
The protest that has been going on for several months has generated tension amidst more than “300 armed police presence” at the site and “the security forces have cut off the protesters from the rest of the village by blocking all phones and even cell phones.” A resident told RFA that the soldiers are ready to use force to move ahead with the mining project and the “Tibetans are vowing to risk their lives to resist it”.
Another local villager said, “Today another four vehicles with roughly 30 to 40 soldiers in them went to the protest site and we are not able to reach any of the protesters”.
Pema Thinley, vice chairman of the TAR [sic] Communist Party, was sent to Markham to to convince the local population, one of the protesters said. But residents continued their demonstration, and Pema Thinley was escorted back to Lhasa, the regional capital, on April 5.
Around 500 Tibetans blocked the road leading to the planned mine site by sleeping on the road day and night when a contingent of security forces arrived on the 15th of May, one of the residents said adding that “The Tibetans declared that they are ready to die to protect the sacred hill.”
Both the employee of Zhongkai Co and an official at the Markham county Public Security Bureau declined to comment on the mine or the protest, RFA said.
Thanks to RFA
Scotland Panda-ring To China
Image: twmyblog/yahoo
China has stolen so much from Tibet, its land, water and other natural resources such as gas, minerals and ore. Millions of tons of timber have been removed, reducing once verdant forested mountainsides to a lunar-like landscape. Tibet’s historic freedom and independence and its rich culture have been siezed too, leaving this remakable and ancient civilization a pale and eroded image of itself.
Apart from this catalogue of theft China has also appropriated a less well-known aspect of Tibet, a term that may well have been kidnapped from the Tibetan language for propaganda purposes. It has become for many a powerful and convincing symbol of Chinese identity, the very sound of which conveys to the listener an immediate impression of China. Even Tibetans make use of the association, as evidenced by the cartoon below.
Toon copyright of: Tenzin Dhonyoe
Communist China has carefully used this phrase as a diplomatic device, dispatching it around the world to distract attention from its more odious activities by promoting a soft and friendly image. Between 1958 and 1982 it was presented by Beijing as a state gift to over nine countries. It is still peddled by the communist regime, althought it can come with an annual rental cost of over $1, 000, 000.
Expensive Bear For Rent
The linkage of this phrase with China has become so cemented in the public mind that here at tibettruth there is a natural hesitancy to reveal its identity, for fear of reinforcing the artifice. So let’s try a little word association experiment. What image arises when seeing or hearing the following Chinese word: Xiongmao Anything specific?
How about trying this one instead, now close your eyes, take a relaxing breath and share with us what springs-to-mind when you hear or see the term Panda.
Works every time, which is why such powerful magick is employed by communist China, and the reason that it chose a non-Chinese name for this iconic, globally loved creature. That’s right Panda is not a Chinese term, in fact it appears to be Tibetan, unrelated to the Chinese name, Xiongmao, which translates roughly as giant cat-bear.
In the eastern areas of Tibet’s Kham region, where this endangered animal has its home it is known by some Khambas as Dhom Karnak (meaning black and white bear) although we understand that other Tibetans also call it Pada (which seems to be interpreted as meaning striped monkey) Whether Panda is derived from Pada or not, and it looks close fit, given that the natural habitat, and most important and largest territory, of this creature falls within Tibet’ s eastern regions of Kham and Amdo, China’s propaganda use of the Panda can be challenged as yet another example of its exploitative misappropriation of Tibet.
Tibetan Bear Hits The Streets
Image: twmyblog/yahoo
Not that such cynical manipulation seems to concern Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo, which received December 5th 2011 two Pandas on loan from the so-called Bifengxia Panda Base, in what is now described as Sichuan Province, China. Neither the Zoo’s directors nor Scotland’s leader Alex Salmond will be aware that in fact the area (Kham) is actually occupied Tibetan territory, which was invaded and subsequently colonized through mass population transfer.
Ironic really given that Mr Salmond, who seems keen to foster ties with China’s Regime, heads a party determined to secure independence from the United Kingdom, and yet appears callously indifferent to the struggle waged by Tibet’s people for their national freedom.
Meanwhile, the fragile mountain and forest ecosystem that supports the Panda is being destroyed by China’s lumber industry as it exploits Tibet’s natural resources, another issue both Edinburgh Zoo and the Scottish National Party seem unmoved by as they foster positive relations with China’s tyrants.
It’s time to reclaim the Panda for Tibet!
With thanks to our Facebook Admin, Ayak Tsang and Nima Dorjee for the helpful advice
Tibetan Farmers Suffer Further Arrests and Beatings
Latest reports from TCHRD document communist Chinese authorities have launched a series of attacks and arrests targetting Khamba farmers who are boycotting demands to till their land.
Accounts have emerged from Drango County, Kardze in Eastern Tibet’s Kham region (so-called “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture”-Sichuan Province), noting that:
“The Chinese authorities have arrested and severely beaten a number of farmers who defy authorities’ order to till their farmlands. As previously reported by the Centre, a large contingent of People’s Armed Police (PAP) has been deployed in Drango County to crush any kind of dissidence and protest. On 27 March 2009, when a group of farmers refused to comply the Chinese authorities order to till their farmlands, they were subsequently arrested and then subjected to severe beatings and ill-treatment. According to sources, fourteen Tibetans sustained injuries, some seriously. They were currently known to be kept in a hospital. The relatives of the injured Tibetans were not allowed to visit them at the hospital”.
The situation in the area remains extremely tense as Tibetans continue their action to boycott Chinese demands. With thanks to TCHRD
Tibet’s Khamba Farmers Defy China
Khamba Farmers Stage Boycott Protest
A Radio Free Asia broadcast March 25 reports that Tibetan farmers, in the traditional Eastern Tibetan area of Kham, parts of which were forcibly annexed into China’s Sichuan Province) are continuing a farming boycott in protest at ongoing repression which is happening across the region. According to the report:
“Tibetans in the Kardze (within the so-called Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture) had refused to cultivate their land following a week of other protests and detentions during a tense and politically sensitive month”.
One source with family connections in the area commentated that:
“On March 20, over 100 government workers, Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers, and soldiers came to Kara village in Kardze….They went from house to house and forced Tibetans into their fields and made them till their land. The Tibetans didn’t cooperate [at first] but later tilled their fields under pressure and with the assistance of government workers and security personnel”
Chinese security troops have been seen using force and a number of arrests have been made according to the same source, although in other areas of Kardze Tibetans are still boycotting.
More details may be found here may be found here
Flame of Tibetan Independence Burns Bright As Ever
Despite the severe crackdown inside Tibet, reports from Tibet’s Eastern region Kham document a number of pro-independence protests. According to one account, Kardze (claimed to be in so-called Sichuan Province) is reportedly under some strain following a large number of pamphlets, demanding Tibet’s independence, having been scattered along the main road of the town. Such leaflets are a common form of oppostion to Chinese occupation and indicate the strength-of-feeling Tibetans have for their freedom.
Hastily Scribbled Demand for Tibetan Independence
A release by the TGIE describes the current situation, in Kham’s Dzogchen township of Derge, as: “ critical’ after Tibetan people living in the region distributed large number of Tibet independence leaflets on the eve of an important religious gathering on 22 March”.
The report quote local sources as describing.
“A large number of local Tibetans and pilgrims gathered at Dzongchen Monastery to observe Phurchen, an important day to undertake religious activities, on 23 March…..On the eve of the gathering, leaflets calling for Tibet independence, along with copies of Lungta, a symbol of good luck, were seen scattered all over the main road leading to the monastery”
Meanwhile according to the TGIE, during the morning of March 22, a monk staged a lone protest shouting slogans “Tibet independence” and “Long live His Holiness the Dalai Lama” in nearby Lithang county, also in Kardze. The monk has been identified as 18-year-old Choekyong Tsering from Lithang Monastery.
The report states that later he was: “severely beaten up after getting nabbed by officials of the area’s Public Security Bureau. He is presently lodged in Lithang county prison”
