China Aims at Stability and Leapfrog Development for Tibet, Says French Scholar Claude Arpi

October 04, 2013

New Delhi: In the back drop of a growing debate on Chinese President, Mr Xi Jinping’s father’s relations with the Dalai Lama and the possibilities of a positive change in China’s Tibet Policy, French Journalist, Mr Claude Arpi delivered a talk on ‘New Leadership in China and Tibet Question’ at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) on October 4, 2013.

Speaking on the issue, Mr Arpi emphasised on the role of the Communist Party of China (CCP) and its institutional structural division while dealing with Tibet. He pointed out that even though CCP’s highest authoritative body, the Politburo Standing Committee, does not have any minority representative, the presence of Yu Zhenshang, one among the seven members of the committee, and currently in charge of the Tibet issue, signifies the importance of Tibet for China.

Mr Arpi further noted that Xi Jinping during his meeting with the Tibetan delegation at National Peoples Congress (NPC) had pledged to continue with his predecessor’s policy on Tibet, ie ‘Stability and Leapfrog Development’.

Speaking further, Mr Arpi discussed the Tibet Work Forum, which meets every ten years to discuss Tibet. He pointed out that the Fifth Tibet Work Forum (2010-2012) in particular has emphasised upon strengthening CCP at the local level and promoting stability at the grass roots level by persuading villagers to join the struggle against the Dalai Lama’s activities against China.

Mr Arpi also discussed military institutions like Tibet’s Military District, the Chengdu Military Region and the role of the People’s Armed Police Force in maintaining stability in Tibet.

Apart form the party’s Institutional structure in dealing with Tibet, Mr Arpi also stressed upon the need for the Chinese leaders’ regular visits to Tibet.

He further spoke about the Presidents remarks on keeping constant vigilance against ethnic problems, sensitive religious issues and sudden waves of Pro-Tibet independence sentiments.

The talk was chaired by Deputy Director General, IDSA, Brig Rumel Dahiya.