(TibetanReview.net, Aug30’19) – China has included Re Di (also written as Raidi or Redi, but pronounced as Ragdi), one of top Tibetan collaborators with its occupation rule in Tibet, in a list of 36 nominees for its highest state honor which was announced on Aug 27. The honors commemorate the nominees’ contribution to the country’s development since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, said the official globaltimes.cn Aug 28.
The list was stated to include eight nominees for national medals and 28 for honorary titles. “They are pioneers devoted on the frontline of China’s development in sectors of defense, foreign affairs, science and technology, border protection, among other fields,” the report said.
The report said “Re Di, a deputy to the National People’s Congress, was nominated for his great efforts to the development, harmony, and stability of Southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region and the improvement of people’s livelihood. He has won the love and respect of all ethnic groups in Tibet.”
Others in the list included Tu Youyou,” the first Chinese national to win a Nobel prize in science”; Yu Min, “Father of China’s hydrogen bomb”; and Ye Peijian, “father of Chang’e lunar probes” and who played key role in the country’s lunar probe missions including the latest Chang’e-4 mission which achieved the first ever soft landing on the far side of the moon in human history.
This is the first time China bestowed these highest national honors to commend so many exemplary contributors to the construction and development of the People’s Republic of China, the reported cited China’s official Xinhua News Agency as saying.
The report said ceremonies to present the honors will be held on important occasions and anniversaries, such as the National Day, according to a law approved in 2015 by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, China’s top legislature, to introduce the honorary system.
Re Di, a native of Driru (Chinese: Biru) County in Nagchu (Naqu) Prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) where he was born in Aug 1938, is a graduate of the Central Party School, and joined the Communist Party of China in October 1961.
He has in the past spoken of having experienced suffering under the old Tibetan society and that the PLA taught him about revolution and led him towards the revolutionary path.
Ragdi has worked in various top leadership positions in TAR during his 28 years of service there until his “election” as a Vice Chairman of the standing committee of the National People’s Congress in Mar 2003.
