For China, Tibet is not merely a religious or cultural matter but a strategic front. Its border with India, along with vast natural resources and water sources, makes Tibet crucial to China’s interests. The Party leadership insists that controlling the borders is essential for governing the country, and that necessitates control over Tibet. The deployment of Mandarin in schools, offices, and administration is another key element. Critics suggest that this could undermine Tibetan culture. Large hydropower projects and infrastructure plans are also part of this strategy. International human rights organizations have condemned these actions as cultural suppression, citing restrictions on religious activities, surveillance of monasteries, and limitations on language use.
