Tibet Issue: CPC finds officials guilty of funding Dalai Lama
What's the story
In an untoward development, the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) revealed that some of its officials had been funding the Dalai Lama, "undermining the fight against separatists".
Inspector Wang Yongjun, head of a discipline watchdog in Tibet, noted some officials had given intelligence-inputs and money to the Dalai Lama's aides and that they had disregarded political integrity and discipline.
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Introduction
China and Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama fled from Tibet to India in 1959 following the failure of the Tibetan uprising, fearing death at the hands of People's Liberation Army soldiers. China has since then forbidden him from entering Tibet.
Dalai Lama's recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh caused China to accuse India of using him for political leverage.
He, however, clarified that India didn't use him for diplomatic ends.
Information
How has China viewed Dalai Lama?
China has been attempting to culturally and economically tighten its grip over the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Considering Dalai Lama's place as the spiritual head of Tibetan people as a threat to its influence, China has been attempting to cut Tibet's ties with him.
Details
What did the CPC reveal?
The officials have been accused of financing and handing over intelligence to overseas groups and underground independent organizations supporting Tibetan independence movement.
Inspector Yongjung condemned the officials behaviour and noted that "it affected the Party's coherence and ability to fight separatism."
The report in CPC tabloid, Global Times further revealed that the accused officials handed over intelligence to Lama's clique and endangered national security.
Reasons
Why could the CPC be supporting Dalai Lama?
At this stage the identity of accused officials is not known, making it impossible to precisely pin down why they are supporting Dalai Lama.
It is likely that the officials disapproved of China's harsh policy against Tibetan monasteries in the name of its patriotic re-education campaign and wanted to act.
It could also be a subversive clique aiming to affect the government's credibility.
About
Communist Party of China
The CPC founded the People's Republic of China (PRC) after the Cultural Revolution in 1949 led by Mao Zedong. It also commands the People's Liberation Army.
The CPC is notorious for its ruthless suppression of opposition and has taken a harsh action against separatist movements in Tiibet and Xinjiang.
Under Xi Jinping, the Party has started cracking down on corrupt officials within the government.
Analysis
What could happen now?
While China has presented a unified face aggressive stance with respect to the issue of Tibetan autonomy, the recent revelation has surprisingly pointed to differences of opinion within the party. Further, many intellectuals in China are known to support granting autonomy to Tibet.
The Party will surely file charges against those found guilty. Activities of Tibetan Buddhists are further likely to be monitored closely.