China’s security tsar calls on Tibet’s neighbouring provinces to take ‘clear stand’ against ethnic separatism

Communist Party security chief Chen Wenqing urges officials to safeguard stability in the western autonomous region and surrounding provinces

Leaders deem crackdowns in Tibet and Xinjiang effective, allowing them to focus on other areas with Tibetan, Uygur and Hui populations, observer says

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Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture in northwest China’s Gansu province is home to nearly 430,000 ethnic Tibetans, or about 57 per cent of its population. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 7:00pm, 27 Aug 2023Updated: 7:05pm, 27 Aug 2023

The security tsar of China’s ruling Communist Party has called on provinces neighbouring Tibet to help ensure stability in areas with large ethnic minority populations.

Chen Wenqing, a member of the party’s Politburo and chief of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, sent out the call as part of an inspection trip to the northwestern province of Gansu, state news agency Xinhua reported on Saturday.

Addressing a group of provincial security chiefs on Thursday, Chen said the officials must “take a clear stand” to safeguard the unity of China, oppose ethnic separatism and ensure national security.

He said they must “take the initiative to prevent and control risks” and “resolutely maintain the long-term peace and stability” of not only the Tibet autonomous region but also of prefectures with Tibetan majorities in the surrounding four provinces.

The meeting was held in Gansu’s Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, the last stop of Chen’s three-day trip to the province.

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