New Chinese Governor lampoons Dalai Lama, says only socialism can “save” Tibet

LHASA - Only socialism can “save” Tibet and guarantee its development, said Padma Choling, the new Chinese-appointed governor of the region.

Choling also lampooned the Dalai Lama’s indecision on who would succeed him.

Choling, an ethnic Tibetan-appointed governor, blamed Tibet’s problems on the exiled spiritual leader, who is seen by Beijing as a “separatist” and an instigator of anti-Chinese violence.

“The main source of instability in Tibet is the Dalai Lama, and it is also he who causes trouble for Tibet’s economic development and socio-economic progress,” The Independent quoted Choling, as telling reporters on the sidelines of the annual meeting of parliament.

“As all the peoples of Tibet have already clearly realised, that only the Chinese Communist Party and socialism can save Tibet, and only then can Tibet develop,” he said in impeccable Chinese.

Choling’s views come two years after Buddhist monks protested against Chinese rule, which gave way to torrid violence, with rioters torching shops and turning on residents, especially Han Chinese, who many Tibetans see as intruders threatening their culture.

At least 19 people died in the 2008 unrest, which sparked waves of protests across Tibetan areas. Pro-Tibet groups overseas say more than 200 people were killed in a subsequent crackdown.

The Dalai Lama, who fled into exile in India in 1959 after an abortive uprising, denies China’s charges against him, and says he only seeks more meaningful autonomy for Tibet.

Several rounds of talks in recent years between the Chinese Communist Party and the Dalai Lama’s envoys have yielded little.

Uncertainty also surrounds what will happen once the ageing Dalai ama passes away. (ANI)