Chinese authorities impose new restrictions on Tibetan children during winter holidays

Chinese authorities have imposed new measures that severely limit the cultural and religious freedoms of Tibetan children as Tibetans begin their winter school holidays, according to a report by Radio Free Asia.

RFA reported that these restrictions, which began on December 30, are aimed at curbing the use of the Tibetan language and reducing participation in religious practices.

A key element of the new policy is a ban on private Tibetan-language lessons. Students across Tibet, including the capital Lhasa, are now barred from attending any extra-curricular Tibetan education during the two-month winter break. Instead, officials are mandating that children focus on improving their Mandarin skills, with lessons focused on Chinese political education and state-approved content.

In several areas, including Dzoge (Zoige) and Ngaba (Aba) counties in Sichuan province, local authorities have banned children from wearing religious symbols and restricted their participation in religious activities. This includes a ban on families taking children to monasteries or allowing them to participate in any religious ceremonies, RFA reports.

The new measures are part of a broader campaign to weaken Tibetan culture and promote assimilation into Han Chinese culture.

Officials are particularly concerned about eliminating the use of the Tibetan language, which they see as an obstacle to achieving full integration. Tibetan students are now only allowed to engage in educational activities that follow the Chinese government’s curriculum, which places heavy emphasis on political education.

According to RFA, reports from various Tibetan areas, including Golog (Guoluo) in Qinghai province and Kardze in Sichuan, indicate that these policies are being strictly enforced. Random checks have been carried out in residential areas and commercial establishments to ensure compliance, with officials closely monitoring students for unauthorized private lessons or indulging in religious activities.

These latest measures are seen as part of Beijing’s ongoing effort to erase Tibetan identity and integrate Tibet into China’s political and cultural framework.