TibetInfoNet - All About Tibet http://www.tibetinfonet.net An Independent Information Service on Contemporary Tibet en-US All About Tibet http://pqrs.de/favicon.jpg http://www.tibetinfonet.net Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:51:31 +0200 Charuwa village, Cha township, Ngaba (Ch: Aba) county at Monday, 11 August 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/930 by CTA County PSB personnel arrested Jampel and Lama, an elder and a younger son from Tarring family, and Jigme from Gaenyug family, suspected of having participated in protests during March 2008.
[Note: this came from CTA’s second Update on Tibet Demonstrations dated 7 August 2008, but was actually published on 23 August 2008.]
(reported by CTA, 23 August 2008)

]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:49:51 +0200 Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) at Sunday, 10 August 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/929 by CTA At around 8am, PAP severely beat and then arrested Dolma Yangzom (aged approximately 34), a nun from Tapon family in Lhopa village, Kardze county, for shouting slogans outside the county government office, including “His Holiness the Dalai Lama must be invited to Tibet” and “Political prisoners including the Panchen Lama must be released immediately”.
[Note: this came from CTA’s second Update on Tibet Demonstrations dated 7 August 2008, but was actually published on 23 August 2008.]
(reported by CTA, 23 August 2008)

]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:48:20 +0200 Nagchen county at Saturday, 26 July 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/928 by CTA One person from each household in Drogshog township, Nangchen county, had previously been forced by the relevant county authorities to “join in practising the Tibetan songs and dances in groups for around two months after which the best performing groups would be selected through competition”. Residents believed that the selected groups would either perform during the summer festival to express happiness about the Beijing Olympics, or that they would be taken to Beijing to perform during the Olympics.
On 24 July, the performers gathered for a selection which occurred on 25 July; county officials found that most of the lyrics were in praise of the Dalai Lama and the Karmapa; the lyrics were “disapproved”; the performers then “strongly expressed their opposition”.
On 26 July, a group of Tibetans from Drogshog township, led by Asang from Bhertsa Tsang family, Ngoe Soe from Konkyab Tsang family, Jamsang, and Gado Nyima, staged a peaceful protest at the county government office “and the public place” while distributing leaflets; shouted slogans: “This year is not for us to celebrate but to offer our condolences and show solidarity at this time of inhumane treatment to the Tibetans. We must be given freedom. His Holiness the Dalai Lama must be invited to Tibet. People must not gather here, but return to your homes”. The four protest leaders were arrested that night by county PSB. On 28 July, Drogshog township residents submitted an “application” calling for their release or else they would “carry out strong protests until no one is left in the township”. No further information available.
(reported by CTA, 07 August 2008)

]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:45:33 +0200 Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) at Thursday, 17 July 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/927 by CTA Yonten Tso, a 19-year-old nun from Dhargye Yetsag Nang village in Kardze county, staged a peaceful protest at the county government office. She was severely beaten and arrested by the PAP.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:44:37 +0200 Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) at Tuesday, 15 July 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/926 by CTA Kunsang Tsering, a 22-year-old monk from Dhargye Langna monastery in Kardze county undertook a peaceful protest in front of the county PSB office. He was shot during his arrest by the PAP. It has not been confirmed whether he is alive or dead.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:43:50 +0200 Serthar county (Chin: Seda Xian) at Tuesday, 15 July 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/925 by CTA Dhungkar from Choegyam Tsang family in Tseshul village was arrested by county authorities, suspected of having participated in protests during March 2008.
(reported by CTA, 07 August 2008)

]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:42:51 +0200 Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) at Monday, 30 June 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/924 by CTA Date unspecified; some time in June: Ngawang Tashi or Ngagha (aged 18) from Jesang Dha village in Kardze county was arrested by the PAP for peacefully protesting at the county government office.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:41:33 +0200 Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) at Sunday, 22 June 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/923 by CTA Sherab Gyaltsen (aged 36) from Sheling Dha village, Kardze county, and Nyilu (aged 35) from Gyurgha village, Kardze county, were severely beaten and arrested when they carried out a peaceful protest at the county government office.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:40:42 +0200 Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) at Saturday, 21 June 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/922 by CTA Nyima Tashi (aged 18) from Sheling village in Kardze county was arrested for shouting slogans at the county government office.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:39:50 +0200 Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) at Thursday, 19 June 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/921 by CTA Lobsang Tsewang (aged 30) from Tsoshi village in Kardze county staged a peaceful protest at the county government office. He was severely beaten and arrested by the PAP.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:37:48 +0200 Dado township, Draggo (Ch: Luhuo) county at Monday, 16 June 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/920 by CTA Three people from unit number 1 in Guda Nyakdrog village, Dado township, protested at the township government office; distributed leaflets, shouted slogans: “Tibet is an independent country”, “Long live the Dalai Lama”; fled to the mountains to avoid arrest.
(reported by CTA, 07 August 2008)

]]> Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:36:01 +0200 Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) at Saturday, 14 June 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/919 by CTA Jampa Tashi (aged 24) from Tsangkha village in Kardze county was severely beaten when he shouted slogans at the county government office and then arrested by the PAP.
(reported by CTA, 01 August 2008)

]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:23:41 +0200 Kardze (Chin: Ganzi) at Tuesday, 18 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/136 by CTA Provisional list of known Tibetan casualties on 18 March (name, age, place of origin):
1. Ngogha, Kardze, Kardze TAP; died 18 March in Kardze.
2. Jamyang/Jampel, Kardze, Karze TAP; died 18 March in Kardze.
3. Tashi Gyaltsen, 18, Kardze, Kardze TAP; died 18 March in Kardze.
(reported by CTA, 24 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:09:00 +0200 Kirti monastery, Ngaba county (Chin: Aba Xian) at Sunday, 30 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/283 by Kirti monastery (Dharamsala, India) Between 28 and 30 March, around 572 monks including 10-year-olds, have been arbitrarily arrested.
, 30 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:08:35 +0200 Kirti monastery, Ngaba county (Chin: Aba Xian) at Friday, 28 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/281 by Kirti monastery (Dharamsala, India) At 11am, thousands of black and green uniformed Chinese security forces entered six monasteries in the Amdo region (Sichuan Province). Five of the monasteries are in Ngapa county: Ngaba Kirti monastery, Ngatue Amdu monastery, Gomang monastery, Dongri monastery and Tsennyi monstery; the sixth, Taktsang Lhamo Kirti monastery, is in Dzoege county.
Security forces raided each monk’s room and confiscated all cell phones; monks were interrogated and forced at gunpoint to step on photographs of the Dalai Lama. Security forces staged and videotaped monks of Kirti monastery [unclear if Ngaba Kirti monastery or Taktsang Lhamo Kirti monastery] in their rooms as they were forced to hold up a portrait of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan national flag. A small monk was “forced to hide half his body underneath the wooden floorboards and made to place his hands on the keyboard of a laptop computer”.
One of the monks made a secret phone call to Kirti monastery in exile (Dharamsala, India), stating: “I am worried that the CCP is creating false evidence to try to show that His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the mastermind behind the protests in Tibet. The security forces forced us to act out these scenes against our will with guns pointed at us […] Do not be persuaded by these fake videos”.
, 30 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:58:20 +0200 Siling (Chin: Xining) at Tuesday, 01 April 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/662 by AI Jamyang Kyi, a well-known singer, TV presenter and producer, was arrested at her work place, the Qinghai TV station, and held incommunicado for at least one month before, it is believed, being placed under house arrest, though only after paying a significant fee.
(reported by AI, 18 June 2008)

]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:35:19 +0200 Tongkor, Kardze county (Chin: Ganzi Xian) at Thursday, 03 April 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/914 by tibetcustom.com A peaceful uprising was met with the arrival of 90 trucks of Chinese troops; they opened fire with machine guns, killing at least ten protesters including a 19-year-old girl; the death-toll could be much higher; many hundreds were injured; “The army did not allow the dead bodies to be collected instead the dead bodies were piled up into a large mound and then a bomb was put in the mound blowing all the bodies into small pieces and scattering the dead around the area”. Many hundreds were arrested from the town and monastery including the head monks; “no one knows if they are now alive or dead”. The town is now under total lockdown and curfew; no one can get in or out and telephones are cut.
(reported by tibetcustom.com, 04 April 2008)

]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:33:08 +0200 Ngaba town (Chin: Aba), Ngaba county (Chin: Aba xian ) at Monday, 17 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/428 The Telegraph Free Tibet Campaign [UK organisation] reported that near the Sichuan town of Ngaba, troops were seen “parachuting from helicopters” circa Monday 17 March.
(reported The Telegraph, 17 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:30:44 +0200 Gyanbe township, Gonjo county (Chin: Gongjue Xian) at Sunday, 06 April 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/366 by CCTV Police seized nine suspects in connection with the bombing of a Tibetan township government building, which occurred on 23 March. 27-year-old alleged ringleader Rinqen Jamcan is a “ranking monk in the Tongxia monastery in the town, while the other eight are monks from the temple. The suspects have confessed to the crime”. This alleged explosion was not reported by Chinese media until 13 April [however, a similar incident in Gonjo county – presumably the same incident – was reported by RFA on 2 April 2008].
(reported by CCTV, 13 April 2008)

]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:30:02 +0200 Gyanbe township, Gonjo county (Chin: Gongjue Xian) at Sunday, 23 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/363 by CCTV A bomb was detonated at a Tibetan township government building. Cewang Yexe, one of the suspects, allegedly brought a homemade bomb “with a motorcycle” [presumably by motorcycle] to the site and “moved it into the office building with the help of others. Police say they then detonated the bomb and ran away”. This alleged explosion was not reported by Chinese media until 13 April [however, a similar incident in Gonjo county – presumably the same incident – was reported by RFA on 2 April 2008].
(reported by CCTV, 13 April 2008)

]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:24:49 +0200 Labrang Tashikyil monastery, Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Wednesday, 09 April 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/360 by CCTV A delegation of domestic and overseas media visited “riot-hit areas” in northwestern Gansu Province; “They are scheduled to visit the worst hit areas in the riots and interview local residents, living buddhas, and government officials”. Jiamuyang, head of Labrang monastery, told the media group that “the riots in Lhasa and Gannan were manufactured by separatists […] This can be seen as a great madness and big exposure of the separatists”. During the journalists’ visit to Labrang monastery, “the tour was interrupted by a group of monks, but soon resumed”. The visit was interrupted when “over a dozen young monks carrying Tibetan independence flags, walked out of the monastery and shouted slogans for Tibetan independence to the journalists”.
(reported by CCTV, 10 April 2008)

]]> Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:54:44 +0200 Draggo (Drango) county (Chin: Luhuo Xian) at Friday, 06 June 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/567 by TCHRD Three monks from different monasteries in Draggo county staged a peaceful protest outside the county government headquarters, calling for Tibetan freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama. The monks were indiscriminately “beaten with electric prod”, kicked and punched by the Chinese security forces; the monks were critically injured and taken to Draggo county hospital for urgent medical treatment.

  1. Tsewang Dakpa, aged 22; from Jangtha township, Draggo county, Kardze TAP.
  2. Thupten Gyatso, (age unknown); from Tawu county, Kardze TAP.
  3. Jangsem Nyima, aged 22; from Dzatoe county, Jyekundo (Ch: Yushu/Jiegu) TAP, Qinghai Province.

Tsewang Dakpa reportedly sustained severe, multiple injuries; believed to have only a slight chance of survival; unconfirmed rumours have spread of his death. Thupten Gyatso and Jangsem Nyima are believed to be in a critical condition and moved to another hospital.

(reported by TCHRD, 09 June 2008)

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:29:24 +0200 Kumbum Jampaling monastery at Friday, 08 August 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/918 by AFP Restrictions and security measures aimed at limiting the monks’ movements and communication during the Olympic Games period, to prevent “a repeat of the violence and anti-Chinese protests” that occurred in Tibetan areas in March 2008. According to one monk, they would not be able to go to see the Olympics because the train station [in Xining] will not sell them any train tickets. Apparently the monks “can’t get email until October after the Olympics” [it is not clear whether or not they are able to use internet cafés in the town; on 13/08/08, RFA referred to AFP’s report and stated, in RFA’s own words: “E-mail services to the monastery have been discontinued until after the Olympics”]. The monks are being watched constantly by the authorities and were pressured not to talk to foreigners; they are regularly asked where they have been and who they have talked to. [At least] five monks had been detained during the period of unrest, but they have since returned to the monastery.
(reported by AFP, 11 August 2008)

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:26:33 +0200 Drepung monastery, Lhasa at Wednesday, 13 August 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/917 by RFA Date unspecified: Monks at Drepung monastery have been cut off from contact with the outside world; no phone calls made to the monastery are answered and it is suspected that the monks’ cellphones have been confiscated.
(reported by RFA, 13 August 2008)

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:25:37 +0200 Bora monastery, Bora township, Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe xian) at Friday, 08 August 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/916 by RFA Chinese authorities prohibited the performance of an annual ritual ‘deer dance’ scheduled for 8 August [the date on which the event was declared prohibited was not stated]. The monastery is surrounded by police; the monks are watched 24-hours a day and warned of serious consequences if they leave the monastery.
(reported by RFA, 13 August 2008)

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:24:37 +0200 Rongpo Gonchen monastery, Rebgong county (Chin: Tongren Xian) at Friday, 08 August 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/915 by RFA Date unspecified; during the course of the Beijing Olympic Games, which commenced on 8 August: Chinese officials told monks at Longwu monastery that they are not allowed to leave.
Khaso Rinpoche, a senior lama who was injured during clashes with armed police in March, is recovering in a hospital in Xining city; he is able to walk with a crutch but had not returned to the monastery since the unrest.
(reported by RFA, 13 August 2008)

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:21:09 +0200 Sera monastery, Lhasa at Wednesday, 12 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/913 by BBC An eyewitness identified only as John told the BBC that during the afternoon, he went to Sera monastery to see the monks debating: “Just when it was about to start, around three o’clock, we started to hear rounds of applause coming out of a courtyard in the heart of the temple. We thought the debate was starting but then suddenly the clapping reached a crescendo – kind of a hooting. Then the gate of the debating compound opened” and an estimated minimum of 300 monks came out. “They were pumping their hands in the air as they ran out of the temple. The minute that happened we saw the police – two or three who were inside the compound – suddenly speaking into their radios. They started going after the monks” and what were thought to be plain-clothed police appeared seemingly “from nowhere”; four or five in uniform and 10 or 15 in regular clothing. They grabbed some of the monks, and kicked and beat them; the eyewitness saw a monk in front of him kicked in the stomach and then beaten on the ground. “The monks were not attacking the soldiers, there was no melee. They were heading out in a stream, it was a very clear path, and the police were attacking them at the sides … Tibetan laypeople started rushing to get out of the temple. Tibetan grandmothers were grabbing young kids and getting them out. We were left behind when the monks left the temple. About 20 minutes later we felt as if we could leave”.
Outside the monastery the eyewitness and companion(s) were directed to the left; to the right was a line of riot police with batons and helmets blocking off the street. “The monks were sitting in neat rows on the ground, surrounded by a phalanx of police. It was a very clear show of force – there were maybe as many as 300 riot police and regular police there. It could have been civil disobedience, but it looked like the monks had been put there. They weren’t moving. As we turned left, we saw troop carriers with camouflaged army regulars arriving … We saw guns, large guns that looked like automatic weapons. There were two or three of those trucks as well as others – several units of public order personnel swarming the situation. As we left, all the roads around the monastery were blocked by police. At the time, all the phones were dead – we were trying to call the hotel but none of the cell phones were working. But within an hour the phone service was back on. It seemed as if within half an hour the thing had been totally brought under control. Back in Lhasa, it was eerily normal. There were police around but not really a muscular presence. It seemed to have been a massive localised show of force.”
(reported by BBC, 14 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:17:45 +0200 Drepung monastery, Lhasa at Wednesday, 12 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/912 by BBC An eyewitness identified only as John told the BBC: “We heard around Wednesday lunchtime that Drepung monastery was closed. We didn’t know why.”
(reported by BBC, 14 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:16:35 +0200 Lhasa at Wednesday, 12 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/911 by BBC An eyewitness identified only as John told the BBC: “We knew something was happening because there were more road checks as we got into Lhasa. Cars were being stopped and police were writing the licence plates down. We tried to stop at a shrine outside Lhasa but were told to keep moving.” [Note: date of arrival in Lhasa unspecified; it may have been 10 or 11 March; the rest of the report refers to incidents on 12 March – see BBC 14/03/08 accounts for Drepung and Sera monasteries.]
(reported by BBC, 14 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:32:01 +0200 Bora, Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Saturday, 15 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/773 by CTA Demonstrations were held in Bora township “and” Sangchu county.
(reported by CTA, 21 April 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:31:53 +0200 Bora, Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Tuesday, 18 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/522 by CTA Monks and laypeople in Bora township held a protest rally; footage of young Tibetans joining the rally on horseback [and on motorbikes] was broadcast around the world.
(reported by CTA, 20 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:31:42 +0200 Bora, Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Tuesday, 18 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/774 by CTA Demonstrations were held in Bora township “and” Sangchu county. Head injuries and broken legs were reported. Some of those who sustained injuries were:

  1. Kathup Tsering, aged 45.
  2. Nyingchup Gyal, aged 27.
  3. Tashi Dorjee, aged 51.
  4. Bhenthey Khar, aged 23.
    (reported by CTA, 21 April 2008)
]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:31:33 +0200 Bora, Sangchu county (Chin: Xiahe Xian) at Sunday, 23 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/775 by CTA Demonstrations were held in Bora township “and” Sangchu county. Many arrests were made between 23 March and 15 April. Lhagho Kyap, a teacher from a local school, was one of those arrested.
(reported by CTA, 21 April 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:26:02 +0200 Ngaba town (Chin: Aba), Ngaba county (Chin: Aba xian ) at Saturday, 09 August 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/835 by FTC The two women shot in Ngaba on 9 August were both Tibetan:

  1. Sonam Wangmo, 22, from Tseni township in Lower Ngaba county; a waitress in a teashop; she was shot in the arm.
  2. Zhang Yeying, 28, from Gyarong (Ch: Jiarong) in Kardze TAP; she was shot in the hand.

Four or five gunshots were heard. Tibetans who went to the assistance of the women reported that Chinese soldiers arrived on the scene shortly after the shots were fired, claiming that the firing had had been “a mistake”. The women were taken to the Ngaba County Civil Hospital; their present medical condition is unknown.
[Note: FTC updated its online press release dated 10/08/08 during the following days; no date was provided for the amendments, thus the amended version incorrectly appears to have been published on 10/08/08. The text here is a summary of the additional information provided regarding the 09/08/08 shooting incident, taken from the version of the press release that was available online on 13/08/08. See separate database entry for FTC 09/08/08 for a summary of the shooting incident, as reported on 10/08/08.]
(reported by FTC, 13 August 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:23:33 +0200 Mangra county (Chin: Guinan Xian) at Monday, 10 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/167 by Woeser blog/chinadigitaltimes Monks from Lutsang monastery held a peaceful demonstration; dispersed by security forces (“troops and police”)
(reported by Woeser blog/chinadigitaltimes, 18 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:22:05 +0200 Bayan Hui AC, Hualong Xian at Monday, 10 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/166 by Woeser blog/chinadigitaltimes Monks from Decha monastery held a peaceful demonstration; dispersed by security forces (“troops and police”)
(reported by Woeser blog/chinadigitaltimes, 18 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:21:09 +0200 Lhasa at Friday, 14 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/147 by Woeser blog/chinadigitaltimes Morning: almost 100 monks gathered close to Ramoche temple to protest against the recent suppression in Drepung, Sera, and other monasteries. The monks were stopped and beaten by police; laypeople respond with anger, resulting in a large protest involving tens of thousands of people. According to reliable sources from Lhasa PSB (Chin. Lasa gong an jiu), the order prohibiting police from firing weapons was lifted – from 14 March onward the security forces (“troops and police” were authorised to open fire on demonstrators.
(reported by Woeser blog/chinadigitaltimes, 18 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:17:36 +0200 Kardze county (Chin: Ganzi Xian) at Monday, 24 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/573 by CTA Each household was thoroughly searched by the security forces (“troops and police”).
(reported by CTA, 27 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:15:28 +0200 Woenpo monastery, Sershul county (Chin: Shiqu Xian) at Monday, 31 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/665 by CTA Government officials arrived at Voenpo [Woenpo] monastery to conduct ‘patriotic re-education’ classes. Eight monks and lay people were arrested for alleged “involvement, leading and masterminding” of the demonstrations in Lhasa in March; they were told that the authorities have documents linking them to the demonstrations.
(reported by CTA, 09 April 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:15:22 +0200 Woenpo monastery, Sershul county (Chin: Shiqu Xian) at Monday, 31 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/664 by CTA Date unspecified: towards the end of March, a number of arrests of monks and laypeople were made at Voenpo [Woenpo] monastery. A large contingent of armed forces arrived; conducted thorough searches of all the monks’ quarters; some monks beaten for possessing the Tibetan flag and other “unpatriotic” items. Numerous statues and computers owned by the monastery were confiscated. The monastery was placed under tight restrictions.
(reported by CTA, 07 April 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:29:55 +0200 Sera monastery, Phuwu township, Serthar county (Chin: Seda Xian) at Thursday, 20 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/660 by CTA PAP personnel opened fire on monks demonstrating at Sera monastery, Phuwu township.
Three monks were reported killed; ten were injured but were refused admission to Chinese hospitals.
(reported by CTA, 22 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:19:59 +0200 Mintso monastery, Dawu (Tawu) (Chin: Daofu) at Saturday, 05 April 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/349 by RFA Monks planned a special ceremony to mourn those killed in earlier protests, despite a warning that Chinese police had orders to shoot on sight anyone seen protesting. Local people joined them; the crowd grew to about 1,000; they marched peacefully while reciting prayers but they were blocked by several hundred armed police. Eventually, the monks were allowed to pass but the laypeople were stopped. The crowd became agitated and raised slogans.
The police opened fire on the crowds and injured about fifteen Tibetans; five of them were seriously injured and were detained. The monks called the head of Daofu county and warned that if those detained were not released, all the monks would continue protesting even if it meant they would be killed. Those detained were then released and the injured were taken to the local hospital but they were denied treatment. Ten of the Tibetans were later reported to be in a stable condition, while four of those more seriously injured were being taken to China for medical treatment in a vehicle owned by Mintso monastery. An official at the Daofu PSB confirmed that a protest had occurred but added: “Now everything is quiet and under control”.
Before phone lines in the area were cut, a witness told RFA: “Please tell the world what we are doing here and that the Chinese are waging a violent crackdown”.
(reported by RFA, 05 April 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:18:42 +0200 Chone county (Chin: Zhuoni Xian) at Thursday, 27 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/241 by sources to RFA A Chinese woman living in the county in the southern part of Gansu province, told RFA: “They detained a lot of Tibetans. Those who committed serious crimes are being detained. Those whose offences were not so serious have been released […] [Those who were detained] were being hauled to our side of the county one car load after another”.
(reported by sources to RFA, 27 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:18:31 +0200 Chone county (Chin: Zhuoni Xian) at Sunday, 30 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/272 by RFA A witness told RFA that an armed forces division from Wuhan, in Hubei province, has been deployed to Chone county; armed police are trying to arrest Tibetans who remain at large. Sporadic riots continue.
(reported by RFA, 31 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:14:51 +0200 Chone Gonchen Ganden Shedrubling monastery, Chone county (Chin: Zhuoni xian) at Sunday, 16 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/197 by Woeser blog/chinadigitaltimes Protest at Chone monastery; no clashes reported.
(reported by Woeser blog/chinadigitaltimes, 18 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:10:33 +0200 Lingqu monastery, Dawu (Tawu) county (Chin: Daofu Xian) at Saturday, 05 April 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/350 by The Times Monks at Lingque temple [Lingqu monastery, possibly a.k.a. Nyitso monastery] were joined by several hundred pilgrims for [the annual Monlam] prayer ceremony [which ended with a ritual], the Torgya, which is meant to exorcise evil elements from society" [it is an apotropaic ritual intended to dispel evil and bad luck]. The police “appeared to grow anxious about the size of the crowd”, which included monks, about 400 nomads, local residents, students and even civil servants who wore dust masks to conceal their identity. Around midday, security forces ordered a halt to the ceremony but the demonstrators refused to leave; the stand-off lasted for several hours. Police opened fire to disperse the protesters, who demanded the return of the Dalai Lama; about ten people were wounded. A resident stated: “The police opened fire. We could hear it. But I haven’t heard about any of the people throwing stones at the security forces.”
(reported by The Times, 07 April 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:05:34 +0200 Darlag county at Thursday, 27 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/422 by TCHRD Five hundred Tibetans from Ponkor Toema and Tibetans from Ponkor Mema townships in hiding on a nearby mountain since 26 March and surrounded by Chinese security forces were encouraged to surrender and promised leniency. On 27 March, two Tibetans voluntarily surrendered but were severely beaten and tortured.

During the following weeks, hundreds of Tibetan protesters were arrested by the Chinese security forces. [unclear whether or not TCHRD is referring to the Tibetans from Ponkor Toema and Tibetans from Ponkor Mema townships who sought hide-outs on a nearby mountain]. Many of them were later released from detention but were charged a hefty fine of 20,000 RMB (US$2,500).

(reported by TCHRD, 29 April 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:03:53 +0200 Ngaba county (Chin: Aba Xian) at Thursday, 03 April 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/323 by ICT The authorities are reportedly targeting people in the area with mobile phones and suspected of sending information and photos to the Tibetan exile community, relating to the protests and subsequent crackdown.
(reported by ICT, 03 April 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:01:54 +0200 Ngaba county (Chin: Aba Xian) at Wednesday, 19 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/140 by TCHRD Tibetans in Ngaba county told to surrender to the Chinese authorities following protests on 15, 16 and 17 March, in return for leniency. There are cases of “enforced disappearance” in the area. The homes of suspected demonstrators were raided. Prayer sessions at Kirti monastery were forced to be suspended indefinitely.
(reported by TCHRD, 19 March 2008)

]]> Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:59:14 +0200 Gansu province at Thursday, 20 March 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/newsticker/entries /newsticker/entries/130 by TCHRD Public notices in Tibetan and Chinese languages were posted around the county [unspecified] and broadcast through loud speakers. The ultimatum was jointly issued by the law enforcement authorities of Kanlho (Chin. Gannan) TAP Intermediate People’s Court, Procuratorate, and the PSB and referred to recent protests in the counties of Sangchu (Chin. Xiahe), Luchu (Chin. Luqu), Machu (Chin. Maqu), Chone (Chin. Zhouni), Tewo (Chin. Diebu) and the town of Tsoe (Khanlo Dzong; Chin. Gannan/Hezuo/Hezuoshen).

The public notice posted warns protesters to surrender by midnight of 25 March and they will be treated “leniently” while those who do not surrender and those who shelter them will be treated “harshly”. Despite the 25 March deadline, late night raids, arbitrary arrests and disappearances have already been reported from Sangchu and other counties.

The Chinese government sent thousands of troops on foot, trucks and in helicopters into Tibetan areas of Gansu province, where scores of Tibetans were killed, in an attempt to curb demonstrations and arrest protesters.
(reported by TCHRD, 21 March 2008)

]]> Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 Update: <i>“It reaches into every aspect of rural Tibetan life”</i><br>Yartsa gunbu: Chances, challenges and prospects – an interview with Daniel Winkler http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/update/127 /content/update/127 TibetInfoNet (1)) has in recent years generated a massive boost of revenue for Tibetans in rural areas who were otherwise largely left out by official development programmes. TibetInfoNet published an Update on the subject in February 2008(2), mainly drawing on the scientific publications of mountain ecologist Daniel Winkler, an international expert on the subject(3). In the following interview, TibetInfoNet explores with Winkler the conditions, the impact and the possible future of the yartsa gunbu industry in Tibet.]]> Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 Update: <i>"You must judge things from your own point of view".</i><br> Interview with Tibetan singer and social writer Jamyang Kyi http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/update/126 /content/update/126 TibetInfoNet "overseas websites". Jamyang Kyi was charged with "suspicion of endangering state security". She was bailed on 21 April 2008 after having to pay a substantial fine. The following is an edited and slightly abridged English version of an interview with Jamyang Kyi which was conducted by Tibetan writer Namlo Yak on 17 March 2007. The Chinese original version was published on the website Sacred Fire of Liberty (www.fireofliberty.org)(1).]]> Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0200 Update: Punitive expeditions http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/update/121 /content/update/121 TibetInfoNet "small group of splittists" therefore appears to be a claim the authorities themselves do not believe; rather they appear to be fully aware that the disturbances are the result of a general rejection of existing policies and a direct challenge to how China rules Tibet. The harsh approach taken by security forces on the ground, including the looting of cultural and personal property, and intimidation and subjugation, through measures ranging from arbitrary fines to torture, appears to be, if not encouraged, then tolerated by the PRC leadership. The strategy is strongly reminiscent of the type of 'punitive expeditions' undertaken historically by colonial powers with the aim of punishing those who had disturbed the imposed order and deterring others from fomenting further unrest, thus underlining the impossibility of maintaining a non-consensual alien rule by anything but force.]]> Wed, 21 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200 Update: Sowing dissent and undermining the Dalai Lama http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/update/116 /content/update/116 TibetInfoNet
On 28 April 2008, Shugden devotees organised a press conference in New Delhi. The declared intention of the event was to publicly express concerns about the group’s perceived persecution at the hands of the Tibetan exile community. The speakers, however, were shrill in their criticism of the Dalai Lama, who they portrayed as an arbitrary ruler effectively preaching violence and responsible for the protests that took place in Tibet during spring 2008. Their condemnation echoed, in parts literally, comments made by the Chinese authorities against the Dalai Lama.

Dorje Shugden worship has always been divisive, but the controversy around it has heated up with the ostensible support of the Chinese authorities for its devotees within Tibet. The press conference in Delhi came after months of tension following the arrival in India of a group of Shugden followers from Tibet in Autumn 2007, i.e. long before the protests of spring 2008. It also appears to be connected to protests that Shugden devotees have vowed to carry out against the Dalai Lama in the West, particularly during his forthcoming visit to the UK where, with the New Kadampa Tradition, the group has its main western following. ]]> Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0200 Update: Diagnosing the Current Situation in Tibet. Interview with the Tibetan author Woeser http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/update/111 /content/update/111 TibetInfoNet (1).
Woeser issued a press statement on 27 April 2008 explaining that her blog, woeser.middle-way.net, has been subjected to cyber attacks since 26 April, preventing her from logging on since then. Existing entries seem to have remained intact, however about 20 new entries have been posted on the comments page. Woeser therefore advised visitors to her website to "be careful with any of the postings after 1:30 am Beijing time, 27 April". Woeser’s website has recently been a key source for news about Tibet. Many recent reports disseminated by a diverse range of Tibet support groups source from this website. Meanwhile, Woeser continues to post current news about Tibet in Chinese language on another website, boxun.com.]]> Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0200 Update: Setting the stage for dialogue http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/update/110 /content/update/110 TibetInfoNet "in the coming days" between "a private representative" of the Dalai Lama and "the relevant department of the central government". The announcement follows a series of statements by the Chinese authorities that portrayed themselves as "patiently keeping contact with the Dalai Lama side" while accusing the Tibetan leader of "destroying the base for dialogue".
Although the announcement, issued while China held consultations with the EU, is a conspicuous attempt at appeasement, the ground for dialogue with the Dalai Lama appears to have been laid in March 2008, prior to the Olympic torch relay debacle, with the declared purpose of co-opting the Dalai Lama's participation into easing current pressures. While it is too early to predict whether forthcoming talks will bear results and what those results might be, it is clear that another inconclusive round of dialogue would be unlikely to serve any of the parties concerned.]]> Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Update: Separating <i>“friends and foes”</i> http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/update/103 /content/update/103 TibetInfoNet “small group of instigators” required to match the official version of the protests. Meanwhile, the authorities have continued to make individuals and communities demonstratively denounce the Dalai Lama, repeating one of the prime causes of the unrest in the first place. By blocking information about the suppression of the disturbances from the media, Beijing has once again backtracked from its pledges to give free rein to foreign media(1). At the same time, the authorities have made symbolic gestures, like the sudden accessibility on Chinese computers of BBC News’ English-language website since 25 March (the Chinese language section remained inaccessible), and a guided tour of Lhasa on 26 March for a few selected journalists. Nevertheless, the latter endeavour backfired when, during an unplanned encounter, monks braved the group’s minders and delivered emotional statements saying: “Tibet is not free”, and that the rioting on 14 March “had nothing to do with the Dalai Lama”. This demonstrates how Beijing’s aim of engineering a controlled flow of information coming out of and going into Tibet, is once again overtaken by the reality on the ground.]]> Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Update: Unrest in Amdo. Details of Luchu protests and unprecedented security build-up. http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/update/101 /content/update/101 TibetInfoNet Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Update: “The world will not look away”. Demonstrations in Amdo Machu and region http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/update/100 /content/update/100 TibetInfoNet Sun, 16 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0100 Update: Unrest in Labrang and eastern Tibet http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/update/99 /content/update/99 TibetInfoNet Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News from 16 August 2008 to 29 August 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/84 /content/news/84 TibetInfoNet

]]> Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News from 02 August 2008 to 15 August 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/83 /content/news/83 TibetInfoNet

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]]> Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News from 26 April 2008 to 09 May 2008 http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/76 /content/news/76 TibetInfoNet

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]]> Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News: Dalai Lama to leave hospital shortly http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/10820 /content/news/10820 TibetInfoNet (AFP; Tibet Sun; Tibet.net) The Dalai Lama has "no physical health problems" and is expected to be released from hospital shortly, his private office has said. The 73-year-old was taken to hospital in Mumbai after complaining of "abdominal discomfort". "Doctors say he has no physical health problems except that he is physically exhausted", Tenzin Taklha, secretary to the Dalai Lama, told AFP. Because of this, his schedules for the next three weeks, including a visit to Mexico and the Dominican Republic, were cancelled. "The Dalai Lama will be in hospital until Sunday evening", the aide said. "He may stay in Mumbai for a few more days of rest", Taklha added.

]]> Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News: Prachanda in Beijing and Kathmandu protests http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/10817 /content/news/10817 TibetInfoNet (FT; The Himalayan Times) The new prime minister of Nepal known by his nom de guerre of Prachanda, was warmly welcomed to the Games' closing ceremony in Beijing by Hu Jintao, making him the first Nepali prime minister to make China his first port of call rather than India. Meanwhile, Tibetan activists resumed their protest rallies in front of the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu, and 120 were arrested. CP Gajurel, foreign department chief of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), told the Financial Times that "the party will ask the government to stop" Tibetan demonstrations.

]]> Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News: Detained monks deported to their hometowns http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/10819 /content/news/10819 TibetInfoNet According to Radio Free Asia's (RFA) sources, the 675 Tibetan monks who were detained after the protests of March 2008 in Lhasa and kept in custody in Qinghai province, have now been "deported to their respective towns". According to the sources, the monks were put on a train from Lhasa on 25 April and "transported to a military detention centre in Golmud" in the Haixi (Tib: Tsonub) Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai. "Among those 675 monks, 405 were from Drepung, 205 were from Sera, and eight were from Ganden", the source said. The remaining 57 monks from outlying areas were said to have been taken from smaller Lhasa monasteries. "All the monks who came originally from the Qinghai region (...) are still detained (...) in their hometown prisons or detention centres". They were escorted home from Golmud by officials from the Qinghai United Front and Religious Affairs Bureau, according to the source.

]]> Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News: Tibet railway tunnel cave-in kills four, injures seven http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/10821 /content/news/10821 TibetInfoNet (Xinhua) A total of four workers were killed and seven others injured after a cave-in inside a railway tunnel under construction in Qinghai province. The accident occurred in the Ketu Tunnel, in Tsojang (Chin: Haibei) TAP, and buried 11 workers, the 12th Bureau of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) said. Rescuers pulled the trapped workers out, but four had died in the collapse. Two of the seven injured were in a critical condition and were hospitalised in the provincial capital Xining. The tunnel under construction belonged to the double track line of the Xining-Golmud Railway, which is a part of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The line's operator, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Corporation and the Qinghai Safety Supervision Bureau have begun a probe into the accident.

]]> Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News: New airport in Qinghai http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/10816 /content/news/10816 TibetInfoNet (Xinhua) Workers completed construction of a runway for a new airport about 20 km away from Jyekundo (Chin: Yushu) in Yushu TAP in Qinghai province. A 4,000-square-metre terminal is due to be built and is designed to handle planes such as the Airbus A319. The infrastructure for the airport is due to be completed by the end of 2008 and the facility is scheduled to go into service in June 2009.

]]> Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News: Woeser detained by police http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/10815 /content/news/10815 TibetInfoNet (Times) The Tibetan author, poet and blogger Woeser (Chin: Weisei) was accused of taking photographs of military installations and arrested by police after she briefly returned to her family's home in Lhasa. Eight policemen arrived at the home of Woeser's mother and presented the writer with a summons to accompany them for questioning, the Times reported. She was held for questioning for eight hours by several officers who said that they were acting on a tip-off from a member of the public who had seen her photographing army and police positions in Lhasa from a taxi. Her husband, the author Wang Lixiong, who spoke on behalf of his wife, told the Times: "She told them that it was not illegal to take photographs in a public place and she had not visited any secret areas or military installations. They had no legal basis for holding her". The police searched her mother's home and removed several documents as well as Mr Wang's computer. They hacked his password, checked all documents on the laptop and required Woeser to erase every photograph that showed a policeman or army officer on the streets of Lhasa or in Tibetan areas they had visited.

]]> Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News: Earthquake in Shigatse prefecture http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/10814 /content/news/10814 TibetInfoNet (Reuters; Xinhua) About 2,000 people were evacuated from their homes after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit an area in the western TAR. Authorities were assessing the impact of the quake, which was centred in Drongpa (Chin: Zhongba) county, Shigatse prefecture, a remote region near the TAR's border with Nepal. Three townships in the county felt the tremor, but no casualties have been reported. However, cracks appeared in 42 residential buildings, said Tan Yungao, the regional civil affairs department's deputy director. The quake also damaged 54 rooms in primary and middle schools. The official said the affected area was in urgent need of tents and quilts. Some 400 tents, 3,500 quilts and clothing were being transported to the area.

]]> Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News: 47 Tibet activists arrested during Games http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/10812 /content/news/10812 TibetInfoNet (RSF) At least 47 foreign pro-Tibetan activists are reported to have been expelled and 22 foreign journalists detained or manhandled by police or other authorities during the Beijing Olympics. The Paris-based media monitor group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said among those detained were two American video bloggers sentenced to 10-day prison terms for "disrupting public order". At least 50 Beijing-based human rights activists had been detained, harassed or forced to leave the Chinese capital, it said. In China, Beijing Public Security Bureau (PSB) spokesperson Wang Wenjie declined to comment about the report, saying he did not have overall figures. RSF's leader Robert Menard said the Chinese authorities' pre-Games pledges "about media freedom and the right to protest were an illusion".

]]> Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News: Wife of arrested Tibetan filmmaker appeals to IOC's Rogge http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/10813 /content/news/10813 TibetInfoNet (NOC Tibet) A letter was sent to International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge asking for his support to free Dhondup Wangchen and Golog Jigme, the two Tibetan filmmakers who made the film "Leaving fear Behind", a 25 minute documentary made inside Tibet, and containing critical remarks about the Olympics and Chinese rule in Tibet. Lhamo-Tso, wife of Dhondup Wangchen, appealed to Rogge to help her to free her husband and his cameraman, Golog Jigme, who together filmed testimonies of a range of people in Eastern Tibet. Each interviewee knew the risks they were taking in being filmed but were adamant that their faces be shown. Dhondup Wangchen managed to send his footage out of Tibet but was subsequently arrested. So far, there has been no response by the IOC to the letter or to the issue.

]]> Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0200 News: Dalai Lama meets French foreign minister http://www.tibetinfonet.net/content/news/10811 /content/news/10811 TibetInfoNet (AFP) The Dalai Lama urged China to "march towards democracy" as he met French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in a trip that has fuelled tensions between Paris and Beijing. They were attending the inauguration of a Buddhist temple by the Dalai Lama in the south of France and spoke privately with him after the ceremony. The Dalai Lama told Kouchner the only way China can "regain its respectability in the international community" was to take a "march towards democracy". French human rights minister Rama Yade and former prime minister Alain Juppe were also at the event which was attended by about 2,000 people. A spokesman for the Dalai Lama said that Carla Bruni-Sarkozy had passed on the president's "greetings" when she met with him at the temple. China had cautioned Sarkozy that meeting the Dalai Lama would have "serious consequences" for bilateral relations, and Beijing warned France to prudently deal with the "important and sensitive" issue of Tibet.

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