Communication with India can be helpful on Tibetan unrest, says China

A top Chinese government adviser has said “good communication” between China and India would be “helpful” in addressing ongoing unrest in Tibetan areas, an issue that the Chinese Parliament is set to grapple with as it begins its annual sitting here in a week's time.

While Indian and Chinese officials have, so far, not discussed the string of self-immolations and protests, with officials citing Beijing's sensitivities over its “internal affairs”, Zhao Qizheng, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a top political advisory body, said in response to a question from The Hindu that China would “welcome” communicating with India over the role of overseas groups, which he blamed for orchestrating recent incidents.

He was speaking ahead of next week's annual joint sitting of the CPPCC and the National People's Congress, the country's Parliament, as they meet for a crucial session to formulate political and economic policies ahead of a once-in-a-decade leadership transition.

Tibet is likely to figure prominently in the two sessions, with the CPPCC responsible for advising the government on ethnic affairs and the meetings taking place this year amid tight security across much of western China. In recent months, more than a dozen Tibetan monks and nuns have set themselves on fire to protest what they have described as repressive religious policies, while two clashes between Tibetans and police forces in Sichuan last month have brought a fresh security clampdown.

Mr. Zhao acknowledged the government's concern over the incidents, but reiterated views expressed by officials that they viewed the unrest as a political plot. While Chinese officials have blamed the exiled Tibetan religious leader, the Dalai Lama, for fanning unrest in public statements, they have neither raised the issue nor presented concrete evidence of the role of India-based groups in talks with Indian officials, sources said.

During a visit to Beijing earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said India was willing to “render any help that we can” to “ease the tension”, but he added that he did not think “that situation will arise”. Chinese officials reacted positively to Mr. Krishna's statement, and made clear they do not want ties with India strained or tested by the Tibetan issue.

In recent weeks, China has tightened security and restricted travel across the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and in Tibetan areas in Sichuan and Qinghai. Tibetans from the region told The Hindu in interviews they were worried that the self-immolations would bring fresh security restrictions. But they also expressed sympathy with the monks, indicating that their actions enjoyed the support of many Tibetans who have complained over religious restrictions, including on worshipping the Dalai Lama.