Chinese President Xi has visited Tibet. On visits to infrastructure projects, a Buddhist monastery and the former palace of the Dalai Lama, he was greeted by enthusiastically waving crowds and bowing monks.
It is exceptional that the Chinese head of state visits Tibet: the last time was thirty years ago. Xi himself last visited the region in 2011, when he was still vice president.
The visit was not announced in advance and no specific reason was mentioned. It more or less coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Chinese invasion of the country, what Beijing still calls the liberation of the area.
Propaganda
Although Beijing has been pushing for more education in Chinese and greater control over religious life in recent years, Xi seemed to want to emphasize the leeway that Tibet is allowed during the visit. State news agency Xinhua reported that he wanted to be informed about matters of faith and the protection of Tibetan heritage and culture.
In addition, the Chinese president used the trip to point out the progress that has been made since then. For example, he visited a newly constructed train track through the mountains and in Chinese propaganda a Tibetan spoke about how the area around the Potala Palace had been renovated enormously.
Earlier this year, correspondent Sjoerd den Daas went on a propaganda trip through Tibet:
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