Gyaltsen Norbu, the “11th Panchen Lama” appointed by China to replace Gedhun Choekyi Nyima – who was kidnapped by it days after being recognized by the Dalai Lama in 1995 – has on Oct 17 presided over a symposium on “ethnic unity” held in western Tibet’s Ngari Prefecture.
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Those who participated in discussions in the symposium were stated to include primary-level representatives from healthcare services, rural communities, public security, schools and monasteries. They were stated to have taken turns to speak, “sharing stories of friendship among ethnic groups and discussing unity and development.”
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China-appointed Gyaltsen Norbu has begun by saying, “Since the new era began, Ngari has made significant progress in both material conditions and people’s mindsets. The prefecture has been designated a national demonstration area for ethnic unity and progress.”
The “new era” apparently referred to China’s armed invasion and illegal occupation of Tibet in the 1950s.
He has attributed what he sees as Ngari’s achievements to “the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the concerted efforts of people of all ethnic groups.”
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The price of not receiving and hosting Gyaltsen Norbu with the honour due to the 11th Panchen Lama could be devastating. In Mar 2025, Tulku Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche, the head lama of Lung-ngon Monastery in Gade Countyof Golog Prefecture, Qinghai province, was declared dead in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, just days after a visiting team of Chinese police team took custody of him. He had fled there after being subjected to severe persecution by Chinese authorities for, among other reasons, not receiving and hosting Gyaltsen Norbu with the honour considered to be due to the Panchen Lama during the latter’s visit.
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On May 17, 1995, Chinese authorities kidnapped a six-year-old Tibetan boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, just days after the Dalai Lama recognized him as the Panchen Lama, one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most important leaders. While Tibetans in exile celebrated the Panchen Lama’s 37th birthday last month, neither he nor his parents have been seen in public since China abducted them in 1995.
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[Edit typo.]
WTF is “ethnic unity”?
It’s literally a coming together of different ethnic groups for the purposes of mutual benefit. It would be the opposite of ethnic disunity where ethnic groups divide against each other.
Can you give me an example?
The official recognition of over 50 ethnic groups, even if they are small. The establishment of ethnic autonomous governments that conduct substantial business in their ethnic language. Ethnic groups having structural privileges to draft and propose educational, cultural, and economic plans that differ from the centrally planned and locally planned government administrations, affording the opportunity for distinct ethnic expression within a larger framework of national development. The allocation of millions of dollars for ethnic preservation, programming, events, etc.