(TibetanReview.net, Sep23’26) – The executive head, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), has on Sep 23 launched his administration’s annual “Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week” to be observed worldwide. The move is meant “to confront and counter the various methods and systematic policies implemented by the Chinese Communist Government to eradicate Tibetan identity, particularly its recently enacted so-called “Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress,” which, under the guise of law, further intensifies the assimilation and eradication of national identities, said the CTA on its Tibet.net website Sep 23.
The launch of the exile Tibetan campaign followed a resolution adopted at the 11th session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, calling for designating the fourth week of every September as “Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week”.
“I hereby proclaim the commencement of this observance effective Sep 23, 2026. ‘Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week’ will be observed annually, from the fourth Wednesday of September through the following Wednesday,” the Tibetan Sikyong has said.
“Our campaign must effectively counter the Chinese Communist Government’s observance of the so-called “Ethnic Unity and Progress Propaganda Week,” during which the state organs are directed to execute various forms of state-sponsored assimilation propaganda and re-education campaigns.”
This referred to China’s recent launch of its “Ethnic Unity and Progress Publicity Week” set to run from Sep 21 to 27 under the theme of “Promoting ethnic unity and progress, advancing on the journey toward national rejuvenation,” as reported by China’s Party mouthpiece globaltimes.cn Sep 16.
The report said that the Chinese week-long, nationwide public education activities will include “seminars on ethnic theory and policy to be held by research institutes”, “legal education,” and “lecturers to explain the new law to government officials and people working in education, culture, publicity and legal affairs, as well as representatives from ethnic minority communities and religious circles.” Local authorities were required to “distribute posters, handbooks and short videos and provide legal consultations at the community level.”
“Schools will organize activities through classes, assemblies and student organizations, while youth groups will send volunteers to communities to provide public services and take part in cultural programs. Museums, libraries, cultural centres and intangible cultural heritage venues will also host exhibitions and performances,” the report added.
During his launch of the global week-long campaign, the Tibetan Sikyong has said at a press conference: “I call upon all Tibetan individuals, families, schools, community associations, activists, and Tibet supporters—under the leadership of the respective Representatives of the Offices of Tibet and Tibetan Settlement Officers—to unite in solidarity with the Tibetans inside Tibet with unyielding dedication and fulfil the responsibilities and activities set forth in the public announcement regarding the observance of the “Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week” issued by the Kashag on Aug 21, 2026.”
For this purpose, he announced the launch of the “Principles and Guidelines for the Preservation of the Tibetan Language” recently adopted by the Kashag, the Tibetan cabinet. He said that to help the public better understand and apply these guidelines, an awareness video will be released shortly. He urged every Tibetan to take ownership of this vital cause and actively fulfil the responsibilities outlined in the guidelines.
He also called on the Tibetan youth, in particular, to view the observance of the “Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week” as an enduring pledge to be upheld throughout the year, and “to remember your responsibility as representatives of over seven million Tibetans inside Tibet.”