Reported by Palden
Edited by Pema Tso
Translated by TenGyal
According to the Chinese government, local male Tibetans from Ruthog County may qualify for financial aid if they enlist in the Chinese Army.
The Chinese government recently announced a mandate requiring the compulsory conscription of all males turning 18 this year. Reports suggested that late last month, authorities issued a specific directive mandating that all Tibetan males in Ruthog County, near the Indo-Tibet border, enlist in the army. Additionally, it is reported that Chinese officials are personally contacting the parents of Tibetan youth to enforce this conscription.
A copy of the directive received by the Tibet Times, states: “As specified in the Chinese government’s Article 15 of the Military Service Law, from December 31st, 2024, all male citizens from the age of 18 must enlist in the army by June 30th, 2025 to serve the nation.”
A related source described “Ruthog County, located along the Indo-Tibet border, is considered a sensitive area by the Chinese government, which conducts extensive military exercises in the region’s camps. Over the years, the government has actively encouraged Tibetan youth in the area to enlist in the military. This year, these efforts have intensified, with authorities frequently issuing notices to individuals aged 18 and above, urging them to join the army. In some cases, parents and households have been directly contacted and informed that enlisting could secure substantial financial aid for both the youths and their families in the future.”
The same source said that in recent years, local authorities in Ruthog County, in collaboration with the Ruthog Border Security Force Unit 2, have mandated celebrations of “China’s National Day” and “Border Security Force Day”. With the Chinese government designating the area as a “border town,” several infrastructure projects have been launched to bolster development. Among these initiatives, a newly constructed solar power project in Ruthog County was recently completed. Additionally, military leaders from the county’s border security forces have been conducting regular educational programs to encourage youth from the “border towns” to join the military.
Towards the end of last year, a directive was issued by the Chinese government which stated “From January 1st, 2025 onwards, under the Military Service Law, all male citizens who have reached the age of 18 would be required to enlist to serve in the military. This is to implement the responsibility of the male citizens of age to serve in the military, as enshrined in the Military Service Law. To enlist, male citizens are advised to visit the Chinese Military Conscription website.”
The directive announced that conscription would officially commence on January 1, 2025, requiring all eligible male citizens to enlist. It further cautioned that non-compliance could lead to severe repercussions, including the loss of job opportunities and ineligibility for university admissions.
