China gave visas to Tibetans living in US and European countries as it celebrates its seventies anniversary of the founding of Tibet Autonomous Prefectures but they faced problems after arriving in Tibet.
Since early August, Chinese authorities have intensified controls in Tibet as China has started to celebrate its so called 70s anniversary of founding the Tibet Autonomous Prefectures. According to the information received to Tibet Times, China has given visas to many Tibetans living in US and European countries to return home but after arriving home, they were under severe restriction and their movements were on constant surveillances.
According to one of Tibet Times reliable source, “Recently, many Tibetans living in the West were given visas. Primarily, it targets political propaganda as China marks its so called 70s anniversary of the founding of Tibet Autonomous Prefectures. On the other hand, provision of those visas is the aim to boost the Chinese economy which is in decline state.” A number of International analysts mentioned that China’s economy has dropped down and foreign tourists are good source of revenue generation to boost its economy. Nowadays, Tourists in China are treating like gods in a time when china as whole facing economically major challenges.
He further added, “This year at least some hundreds of Tibetans were given the visa but they were restricted from traveling to other provinces and obviously to meet relatives from other provinces is out of line. some Tibetans even afraid of travel out of the local town and district. Chinese authorities have strictly ordered the families and friends residing in Tibet were not to plan a grand welcome publicly. A few Tibetans were summoned to police stations and warned to confiscate the foreign passports.”
An anonymous Tibetan told Tibet Times that recently he got visa to Tibet but he was deported from the airport after interrogation for two days when the security personnel at airport found His Holiness Dalai Lama and the president of the Central Tibetan Administration picture in his mobile phone. A foreign national Tibetan has to undergo additional investigations and even Tibetan medicines such as precious pills (Rinchen Rilbu) are not allowed to carry along.
The source further added, “For other citizens, it only takes one or two days to apply for a visa, but for Tibetans it takes three or four weeks and after three to four months, they will receive a message of whether the visa is approved or not. Tibetan applicants are asked different questions like: whether they have worked in the Central Tibetan Administration, NGOs, and Tibetan community Associations or not and there marital status etc. A total number of around 30 questions were asked thoroughly.” As per a registration form of Chinese government received to Tibet Times, A Tibetan applicant needs to have an approval letters from one’s village authority, local police and Security Office, and District United Front work department in Tibet. Without those, it is not possible to get a visa.
