China’s Crackdown on Tibetan Freedom of Speech and Identity.
Tibet Uprising Day, observed on March 10 every year, commemorates the 1959 Tibetan revolt against Chinese occupation rule and symbolises the ongoing struggle for freedom. China suppressing the freedom of speech of Tibetans is a severe human rights violations that directly correlates with this day as Tibetan activists and the diaspora organise protests. It highlights Beijing’s efforts to silence dissent and erase Tibetan identity.
Widespread reports reveal extensive censorship and surveillance, including downloading mandatory spyware apps and monitoring of social networks. These measures create fear and self-censorship among Tibetans, stifling their ability to express cultural and political grievances. But this plight faced by the Tibetans is not new; in contemporary times, the 17-Point Agreement signed in 1951 is considered a key marker.
17-Point Agreement
The 17-Point Agreement – officially the Agreement on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet – was signed on 23 rd May 1951 and forced upon Tibet by China, threatening full-scale war if Tibetans did not comply. This agreement promised autonomy but was quickly violated by China, leading to the severe suppression of Tibetan culture and freedom of speech. Beijing broke its promises to respect Tibetan religion and customs and instead, imposed harsh policies that undermine Tibetan identity and deny freedom of expression. Tensions between the Chinese state and Tibetans protesting Beijing’s injustices culminated in the 1959 mass uprising that ultimately failed. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and many Tibetans fled and went into exile after a failed uprising in 1959. Despite China’s claims of a “peaceful liberation” Tibet was the least free place in the world in 2021, with Tibetans facing persecution for expressing their cultural and political views.
They have always faced intense surveillance and censorship, with restrictions on using their language and practicing their religion. Today, the effect mass surveillance and censorship by the Chinese state on the Tibetan populace is exacerbated in this Age of Artificial Intelligence and Information.
Xi Jinping Takes Centre-stage
Even before Xi Jinping came to power as China’s president, the prevailing notion was there would be a softening of Beijing’s position regarding Tibet. The primary reason for this belief is that Xi’s father had met and become acquainted with the Dalai Lama in Beijing in the early 1950s. Xi senior eventually strayed a little too far from the party line perhaps, as he displayed liberal characteristics, even sympathising with minority groups. Therefore, the view that Xi junior would follow his father’s footsteps on minorities had traction. There were other voices which opposed this standpoint but no clear determination on Xi’s political views could be made. Ever since Xi Jinping’s rise in 2012, China has tightened control over freedom of speech, especially in Tibet.
The government enforces strict censorship and surveillance in 2017, using legislature like the Cybersecurity Law and National Intelligence Law to monitor dissent and silence critics. Tibetan language and cultural practices are suppressed, with online platforms dismantled and peaceful advocacy punished under vague charges like “separatism.” These policies aim to erase Tibetan identity while fostering a climate of fear and repression.
Tools of Surveillance, Control and Manipulation
Beijing has built an extensive surveillance system in Tibet to monitor and control the population. Key measures include mandatory app installations, big data policing platforms, real-name registration, a grid- management system and deploying civilian-police units. Real-name registration has eliminated online anonymity. The grid management system divides communities for close monitoring, while facial recognition and biometric data collection enhance control. Civilian-police units further tighten surveillance and provides a richer picture of the targets. These measures suppress dissent, criminalise cultural advocacy and create a climate of fear, silencing Tibetans and eroding their cultural identity. And those who preserve their language, culture, and literature face arbitrary detention and imprisonment.
On a more human level, China’s surveillance of the Tibetan population also utilises thousands of Communist Party cadres to collect political and religious information, enforce political indoctrination and pressure villagers to support the Party while opposing the Dalai Lama. While this programme was due to terminate in 2014, Beijing has indefinitely extended it and now features yet another tool of state surveillance, control and manipulation. Beijing’s employment of this tool only gives rise to fear and self-censorship among the Tibetan populace as the surveillance mechanism includes questioning villagers, creating local security units and promoting “core socialist values”.
Tibetan writers, monks and influencers are banned from sharing religious or educational material online without government approval. Platforms like Douyin are blocking Tibetan language content, limiting cultural expression and economic opportunities. Mandarin is prioritised over Tibetan in education and media, eroding the Tibetan language. Religious teachings face strict control, with monasteries being heavily monitored. It exemplifies China’s broader strategy to silence Tibetan voices, curtail the freedom to assemble, practice a religion and erase cultural identity. This censorship extends globally, influencing platforms like TikTok and Hollywood to avoid Tibetan-related topics.
As of 8 th March 2025, China’s national lawmakers and political advisers have supported a report to the 14 th National People’s Congress (NPC: China’s top legislature) to cultivate a stronger sense of national identity and therefore, strengthen the cohesive nature of the Chinese community.
Conclusion
These measures aim to erase Tibet’s cultural identity and assimilate Tibetans into the Chinese state narrative, severely impacts their rights to self-expression and cultural preservation. International organisations and human rights groups have called for greater privacy protection and investigations into coercive practices, pushing for international companies and governments to ensure they do not support China’s mass surveillance programmes. Beijing’s crackdown on Tibetan freedom of speech through censorship and surveillance has severe implications for cultural preservation and human rights. As the situation continues to deteriorate, international attention and action are crucial to address these violations and protect the rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people.
Historically, the Central Tibetan Administration has received US assistance for cultural preservation and support of refugees, as well as welfare projects. With US Agency for International Development undergoing a 90-day review for funding foreign projects.
