China’s ‘new’ border rules in Tibet point to same old dispute with India
- Regulations announced by Tibet region’s government, based on rules already in force, are aimed at preventing infiltration by exiled Tibetans, insider says
- Carrying or disseminating newspapers, books or electronic products deemed to endanger national security is among the acts banned under the rules
“All the bans are updated rules based on previous border regulations, with the key mission being to prevent exiled Tibetans trying to infiltrate Chinese borders,” the insider, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, told the South China Morning Post. They added that, according to Chinese officials, more than 10,000 exiled Tibetan were being trained as “special operation troops” by India.
02:07
China reveals details of 2020 border clash with Indian troops after both sides complete pullback
The insider said the bans had deliberately not specified who was being targeted. “Obviously the bans were designed to target exiled Tibetans,” they said. “The bans were announced recently, a while after the two sides completed their disengagement of troops [in mid-February], because Beijing doesn’t want to provoke New Delhi.”
As well as acts such as illegally crossing the border, the Tibet regulations prohibit carrying or disseminating newspapers, books or electronic products containing content that is deemed to endanger national security and undermine ethnic unity. They also prohibit scientific surveying and mountaineering in the area without permits.
All Chinese citizens living outside Tibet need a special permit to travel to border areas in the Himalayas.