The heavy presence of armed forces in the once-tranquil ancient city of Lhasa may have stirred rancour among some Tibetan residents, but Han Chinese and Hui Muslims have welcomed them with open arms.
Slowly but surely, long-absent prosperity has returned to the Chinese merchants' quarter in the heart of Lhasa. The Lhasa Wenzhou Shopping Mall, in a downtown area that was smashed, looted and burned by rioters during last year's deadly unrest, is once again thriving.
Three paramilitary police officers carrying rifles guarded the main gate of the three-storey shopping centre and more officers patrolled streets nearby.
But far from feeling intimidated, migrant shopkeepers inside, heavily subsidised by Beijing to stay, say their presence actually helps business.
Nearly a year has passed since a massive riot erupted last March 14, when angry Tibetan protesters attacked Han and Hui residents in the city, smashing, looting and setting fire to shops, schools and residential buildings.
The Tibetans were angry because they felt marginalised by the growing presence of Han migrants.