Chinese Veterans in Tibetan Schools
China has begun deploying retired army veterans as “on-campus instructors” in Tibetan schools, subjecting children as young as six to military and political training. This move, which experts view as an escalation of China’s efforts to assimilate Tibetans, aims to instill unwavering loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from an early age.
According to sources inside Tibet, these military personnel are being stationed in schools across the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and Tibetan-populated areas in Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces. State-run media have showcased children marching in military fatigues, performing air raid drills, and engaging in flag-raising ceremonies under the supervision of these instructors.
Militarization and Ideological Indoctrination
The deployment of army veterans aligns with Beijing’s broader strategy of Sinicization—reshaping Tibetan identity to fit the CCP’s ideology. The program is framed as part of China’s National Defense Education Law, which was amended in 2024 to include military training in educational institutions nationwide.
As a result, Tibetan children are being systematically conditioned to embrace Chinese nationalism. Sources indicate that in Nagchu, 13 retired Han Chinese veterans have been placed in seven schools, spanning both primary and middle levels. The training includes early morning drills, inspections of dormitories, and lessons in “correct values,” reinforcing obedience to the state.
“This is beyond replacing Tibetan language in textbooks with Mandarin,” a source from inside Tibet reported. “The CCP is now embedding military personnel directly into schools to reshape how Tibetan children think and behave.”
Erosion of Tibetan Cultural Identity
Historically, China has enforced policies that undermine Tibetan cultural and religious identity. The CCP has long targeted Tibetan language, religion, and traditions, with a particular emphasis on suppressing Buddhist education. In some areas, monastic schools have been forcibly closed, and young monks transferred to state-run boarding schools where ideological education replaces religious teachings.
A recent example is the closure of two monastic schools in Ngaba and Dzoge counties in Sichuan province in mid-2024, affecting 1,600 students. These children were moved to government-run institutions where patriotic education is a primary focus.
Training the Next Generation for the Chinese Military
Experts suggest that China’s militarization of Tibetan schools is not just about ideological control—it also serves strategic military interests.
“The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) views Tibetans as valuable assets for mountain warfare, given their adaptability to high-altitude conditions,” said Anushka Saxena, a research analyst at India-based Takshashila Institution. “This program is designed to cultivate future soldiers for the PLA.”
Chinese state media have already lauded the success of the pilot program in Nagchu, reporting that over 300 Tibetan students have signed up to become “future military service volunteers.” The initiative reflects China’s ongoing attempts to integrate Tibetans into its national defense framework while erasing their unique identity.
A Systematic Approach to Indoctrination
The role of “on-campus instructors” extends beyond military training. Reports indicate that these veterans function as national defense counselors, behavioral instructors, and ideological lecturers. Their responsibilities include:
State media portray this initiative as a “win-win” strategy—both aiding military veterans in securing employment and strengthening ideological control over Tibetan youth.
However, Tibetan scholars and activists see it as yet another coercive measure aimed at erasing Tibetan identity. “This goes beyond the classroom,” said a second source from Tibet. “These cadres enforce Han Chinese ideologies even in students’ dormitories, seeking to replace their cultural beliefs with state-mandated narratives.”
A Broader Pattern of Assimilation
The CCP’s efforts to reshape Tibetan identity extend beyond schools. Similar programs exist in boarding schools and universities, where students are required to undergo military training during vacations. The overarching goal is to foster a generation of Tibetans who prioritize loyalty to China over their ethnic and cultural roots.
Frank Lehberger, a Germany-based Sinologist and research fellow at the Usanas Foundation, noted that the National Defense Education Law is being used as an auxiliary tool in China’s assimilation policies. “By militarizing and brainwashing young Tibetans, the CCP hopes to achieve its long-standing objective of full Sinicization,” he explained.
Conclusion
China’s placement of army veterans in Tibetan schools marks a dangerous escalation in its campaign to assimilate Tibetans. While the CCP frames this initiative as an educational enhancement, it is, in reality, an aggressive attempt to strip Tibetan children of their cultural and national identity.
Through military drills, ideological lessons, and behavioral conditioning, China is systematically shaping a generation of Tibetans who will grow up seeing themselves as Chinese first—potentially at the cost of their ancestral heritage and autonomy.