Top official asks Tibetan Buddhists to firmly uphold leadership of CPC

China’s top political advisor asked the religious circle of the Tibet Autonomous Region to firmly uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and be courageous in battling all separatist elements, in order to further protect national reunification, ethnic unity and social stability.

Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the 13th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, made the remarks during an inspection in Tibet from Friday to Sunday, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic studies at Minzu University of China in Beijing, told the Global Times on Monday that religious development in Tibet has adhered to the CPC’s basic principles in the work and the direction of the “sinicization” of religions in China.

“Religious problems in Tibet once originated from temples. Current religious development has seen far fewer such problems after authorities launched better management of the temples,” Xiong said.

“The overwhelming majority of believers support the ‘sinicization’ of religion, national reunification, and ethnic unity, as they know it is a right direction,” Xiong noted, saying temples also support the policy.

Wang noted that the work regarding religious affairs is significant for the social stability and the prosperity of Tibet in the long term, urging preparedness and precautions against danger in times of safety.

Eliminating poverty in Tibet is of great significance to people’s well-being and ethnic solidarity, Wang also said.

Although the development of Tibetan Buddhism is in a healthier form, Xiong warned that authorities must guard against foreign powers, which could still delude local believers.