Chinese politician and Politburo Standing Committee member, Wang Yang has visited eastern Tibet in an attempt to “combat Tibetan nationalism”

A senior Chinese politician has visited eastern Tibet in what he called an effort to raise awareness for the government’s new policies on religion and “national unity” in the region.

The visit from Wang Yang, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee which is made up of China’s top decision makers, took place between 25 and 27 May and was an attempt to “combat Tibetan nationalism”.

Wang and his team of officials visited Tibetan townships and nomadic areas in Kardze, as well as the renowned Buddhist centre Larung Gar, where between June 2016 and May 2017, 4,828 monks, nuns and students were forced out and as many as 4,725 houses and buildings were demolished.

He spoke publicly about the importance of Xi Jinping’s new policies and programmes for Tibet which include “sinicisation of religion,” poverty reduction and the promotion of “lawful administration” and “unity” in the country.

The move to sinicise religion, which sees Christian, Buddhist and Muslim worship being regulated and given Han Chinese characteristics, was introduced by Xi in 2015 in an attempt to bring religion under CCP control.

Wang promoted the drive during the visit. He spoke about the importance of making Tibetan Buddhism socialist and urged monks to “firmly uphold” the leadership of the CCP, Tibet Watch said.

The official told the people in the region to fight against the forces of “separatism” and ordered monastic leaders to improve their management to guard against infiltration by “foreign forces.”

Wang also advised that poverty alleviation programmes, where the CCP offers poor Tibetans state aid in return for learning the names of Chinese leaders, be continued to prevent “Tibetan nationalism,” Tibet Watch said.

The visit has come in the lead up to the politically sensitive 30th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests when the Chinese government used soldiers and tanks to crush a nationwide pro-democracy movement, killing hundreds if not thousands [no precise figures exist].

Tibetans defying China’s policies are also at risk. In February last year China introduced new regulations against “underworld forces”, which can be used against dissidents and peaceful protesters in Tibet. In a report last year Human Rights Watch said that in mainland China the underworld forces policy has targeted the mafia, gun runners and gambling, but inside the TAR the campaign has been used against suspected political dissidents and civil society initiatives.

Wang’s visit to Tibet and the policies he discussed were “intended to reduce and intimidate the Tibetan people to bring submission… to the party dictate”.