(TibetanReview.net, Jun20, 2018) – China is said to have launched a new campaign of forced patriotic fervour among Tibetans, making them to learn to sing songs in praise of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to be performed during an upcoming national holiday, reported the Tibetan Service of rfa.org Jun 18. The campaign, underway across Tibet Autonomous Region, was reported to impose stiff fines on those refusing to take part.
“One member of every Tibetan family has been forced to perform the group songs in front of large crowds,” the report quoted a local source as saying, speaking obviously on condition of anonymity.
The report cited another unnamed Tibetan as saying the new campaign was launched as preparation for Jul 1, the anniversary of the 1921 founding of the CPC.
He too was quoted as saying, “Every Tibetan family, regardless of their status or condition, is being forced to participate in the group trainings to memorize the communist songs.”
While those who perfect their performance would be rewarded, others who fail to take part would be fined, with the amount thereof varying from place to place over the range of 100 to 500 yuan. Shigatse city was stated to be imposing the heaviest fine.
Many illiterate villagers requesting exemption due to their difficulty in learning the new songs have reportedly been told to pay the fine or fully take part in the campaign.
“Their aim is to show the outside world how ‘happy’ the Tibetan people are, and to project a false image of Tibetans’ patriotism and loyalty to the Chinese party,” the report quoted a Chushur County Tibetan currently working in Toelung Dechen, both part of Lhasa City, as saying.