Almost 1,000 trapped on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest by blizzard, the initial headline certainly paints a dramatic picture, doesn’t it? However, it’s important to remember that the situation is more nuanced than a simple “everyone’s trapped” scenario. The actual numbers trapped are in the surrounding villages, not climbers themselves, and these people are waiting out the blizzard from a safe distance.
The immediate concern, as always, is for safety and well-being. While the headline focuses on Everest, the larger storm system has wreaked havoc across the region. There’s news of fatalities in Nepal due to landslides, and in India due to flooding.… Continue reading
On Saturday, China initiated construction of a USD 167.8 billion dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, near the Indian border. The project, announced by Premier Li Qiang, will include five cascade hydropower stations and is projected to generate over 300 billion kWh of electricity annually. This infrastructure project, located in the Nyingchi region, is expected to supply electricity for external consumption while also fulfilling local needs in Tibet. The development has raised concerns in downstream countries like India and Bangladesh due to its scale.
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China has lodged a formal protest against India due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday wishes to the Dalai Lama and the presence of Indian ministers at his 90th birthday celebrations. Beijing views these actions as a violation of past commitments and interference in its internal affairs, specifically regarding Tibet. Chinese officials have accused the Dalai Lama of being an anti-China separatist, demanding India recognize this. China insists that any reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must adhere to its laws and historical conventions, directly challenging the Dalai Lama’s assertion that the Gaden Phodrang Trust will oversee the process.
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Tens of thousands of Tibetan Buddhists gathered in Dharamshala, India, to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, joined by figures like Richard Gere. Despite monsoon rains, the spiritual leader appeared in traditional attire and addressed the crowd, reaffirming his commitment to peace and compassion. The week-long celebrations culminated on Sunday with the Dalai Lama assuring followers of his good health and announcing his intention to live for many more years. He also confirmed plans for a successor, a matter of contention with China.
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The Dalai Lama announced that the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist institution will continue after his death, stating that the next Dalai Lama should be found and recognized through traditional Buddhist practices. He indicated that China should not interfere with the selection process, a stance likely to be met with opposition from Beijing, which claims the right to approve the next religious leader. This decision holds significant political weight for Tibetans, who oppose China’s control over Tibet and see the Dalai Lama as a symbol of their identity. It is expected that China will appoint its own Dalai Lama, which could lead to two rival figures.
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China’s official stance, as articulated by Li Decheng of the China Tibetology Research Centre, firmly rejects the Dalai Lama’s proposal for a foreign successor. This rejection is based on the assertion that such a reincarnation would violate Chinese law, religious tradition, and historical precedent. Li Decheng stated unequivocally that any such foreign reincarnation would not be recognized by China. The recent announcement by the Dalai Lama regarding his potential reincarnation outside of China prompted this official response and a forum explaining China’s position on the reincarnation process.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker