Reported by Palden
Edited by Pema Tso
Translated by TenGyal
Contrary to reports that surfaced in August this year suggesting that Tibetan singer Asang had been released from detention, it has now come to light that he was never released at all. Nearly four months have passed since his arrest, during which his family has been denied any visitation rights.
Earlier this year, as the Chinese government intensified restrictions and crackdowns across Tibet during the 90th birthday celebrations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, numerous Tibetans were arrested on trumped-up charges of participating in or celebrating the event. Among them were singers Asang and his colleague Palchung, who were both detained during the celebrations. Since then, no one has heard from them, nor is there any information about their whereabouts or condition. Although reports in August suggested Asang had been released, it has now been over four months since his family last saw him, and they continue to hope and wait for his safe return.
According to information from a related source, following Asang’s arrest, his wife Lhamo gave birth to a baby girl and has since faced considerable hardship. Despite Lhamo having travelled to Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, in China solely for business purposes, Chinese authorities forcibly shut down both her and Asang’s main Kuaishou (short-video sharing platform) accounts. Lhamo now continues to manage her business through live streams on her Kuaishou Lite account. As almost four months have passed since Lhamo and their two children last saw Asang, there remains no clear information about his situation or well-being.
Another source stated, “Although it is impossible to know where Asang is now, he is definitely not dead. When he returns someday, many things will become clear, and those who love his songs will surely come to know the real situation.”
According to information gathered by Tibet Times, Asang was not only a singer but also an active e-commerce entrepreneur. Much like his mentor Gebe, he was deeply devoted to the Tibetan people and regarded it as his duty to uphold, preserve, and promote the Tibetan language, religion, and culture. Through his songs and public messages, he frequently expressed these sentiments online in live-streams, which led Chinese authorities to closely monitor his movements and activities, even before his arrest. They also imposed strict surveillance and tight restrictions during his wedding ceremony. Earlier this year, during the Great Prayer Festival (Chotrul Monlam Chenmo) at Kirti Monastery in Ngawa, Asang made a bold public appearance with the word “Tibet” inscribed on his head—an act that was widely applauded online.
Tzukte, or Asang as he is known popularly by his online alias, is a young Tibetan singer who is the son of the Naktsangtsang family of Camp No.4 of Kashul Village, Barma Township, Ngawa (Aba) County, Tibet. Asang and his wife Lhamo have a son who is just over a year old, and a daughter who is just a few months old.
