News and Views on Tibet

China rejects CTA President’s appeal for proper assistance for Dingri earthquake victims

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President Penpa Tsering addresses the media following the public prayer ceremony held at the Main Temple in Dharamshala on January 8, 2025 (Phayul photo)

Tenzin Nyidon

DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 20: The Chinese government has dismissed an appeal by the President of the Tibetan Government in Exile, officially known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)Penpa Tsering, urging Beijing to prioritize the needs and rights of Tibetans during disaster relief efforts, in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Dingri in Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet.

President Tsering, in a public statement on January 12, called for culturally sensitive disaster relief measures and emphasised the necessity of long-term disaster preparedness plans. “We also call upon the PRC government to provide adequate assistance in rebuilding efforts that take into account the traditional Tibetan needs and fundamental rights of the Tibetan people,” the statement read. 

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, responded by rejecting the appeal and denouncing the CTA as a “pure separatist political group,” unrecognised by any country. “We are fully aware of the group’s separatist nature and political agenda,” the spokesperson stated, accusing the CTA of exploiting the disaster for political purposes.

Guo asserted that the disaster response was progressing smoothly, stating, “We are confident in winning this tough battle of quake response and returning work and life to normal in the affected areas as soon as possible.” 

Guo Jiakun, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson in an undated photo (Photo/China Daily)

Chinese state media highlighted the government’s disaster response as comprehensive, claiming the establishment of 224 relocation sites for 47,500 people, along with access to makeshift clinics, libraries, and counselling services. However, social media reports from Tibet suggest that several disaster-hit regions remain underserved. Tibetan volunteers and social organisations have reportedly been barred from directly distributing aid to affected residents, with all relief supplies directed to government-controlled warehouses. Videos circulating online depict large quantities of essential supplies stacked outside the Dingri local government office.

On January 11, the CTA also issued a fact sheet calling on the Chinese government to ensure timely emergency rescue, medical aid, and rehabilitation services. The appeal also urged Beijing to grant unrestricted access to international aid organisations, provide transparent casualty reports, and guarantee sufficient post-earthquake rebuilding efforts.

The 7.1-magnitude earthquake caused widespread devastation, impacting areas including Lhatse, Dramtso, Chula, Tsogo, Sakya, Tingkye, and Ngamring. Chinese state media reported 126 deaths and 337 injuries as of January 9, with 246 patients discharged from hospitals and 3,600 homes destroyed. However, Voice of America’s Tibetan Service, citing reliable local sources, confirmed that the death toll had risen to 134 by January 14, exceeding official figures.

2 Responses

  1. I would really be fair and not always criticize CTA and also our Tibetan brothers and sisters each other. We should talk friendly among ourselves how and what we should do. If we have some thing what the others have done that you think is wrong, then say clearly what you think is wrong and what is the right thing to do. It doesn’t help us always casually criticize the other.
    Instead one must say what one thinks what is best way to fight for our freedom. I mean where we could live in peace and free in a state of law.
    We should actually criticize the communist Chinese leaders for their cruelty to our people in our land and their false assertions and false propagandas.

  2. CTA is the organization that represents 7 million Tibetans living in Tibet under the colonial authority. The Colonial government has never attempted any sincere negotiation on Tibetan cause with the CTA instead refered it as Separatist group and unrecognized by any country. So why we talk about Middle Way or Independence when we do not have recognation. Over the last 6 decades we failed to prioritize our agenda in search of the truth. Tibet’s issue is more essential for India to establish it’s national boundry and United States to maintain it’s trustworthy world leadership. Hence, we must continuously seek their genuine support to gain recognition for CTA as the real representative of Tibetans. We must keep seeking recognition as the priority instead of dailogue, negotiation or independence. At the moment CTA is like a person without proper ID.

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