Chinese Propaganda in Tibet Illustration
On September 2, 2024, China launched the Tibet International Communication Center in Lhasa, marking another aggressive step in its ongoing efforts to control the global narrative on Tibet. This new center symbolizes the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) growing ambition to suppress Tibetan voices while spreading disinformation worldwide, further obscuring the real situation in Tibet. The move has prompted strong reactions from organizations such as the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), who warn that this is the latest stage in a calculated strategy that has been building for years.
The CCP’s narrative control over Tibet is not a recent phenomenon, but the establishment of the Tibet International Communication Center takes China's propaganda machine to new heights. By leveraging modern technology and expanding its global reach, the center aims to create a false reality of Chinese benevolence and progress, a theme that is deeply embedded in China's broader propaganda efforts.
At the heart of this new propaganda offensive lies a sinister attempt to erase Tibet’s cultural identity. Beijing has been discreetly pushing to replace the internationally recognized name “Tibet” with the Sinicized term “Xizang” since 2021, a strategy that aligns with CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping’s goal to “tell a good Chinese story” on the world stage. Yet, this so-called "good story" is a calculated fabrication designed to obscure the harsh reality of China’s occupation and oppressive rule in Tibet.
Wang Junzheng, the CCP's top leader in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), made the intentions clear during the center's opening, emphasizing the need for “ideological guidance” in external propaganda. His statement underscored the CCP's objective: to construct a narrative system where China's "benevolent" rule over Tibet is showcased, disregarding the region’s rich cultural heritage and ongoing struggle for autonomy.
The Tibet International Communication Center will rely on various state-controlled media outlets, including China Daily and China Global Television Network (CGTN), to disseminate this distorted narrative to a global audience. A recent partnership between China Daily and the China Tibetology Research Center reinforces this approach, focusing on storytelling as a more manipulative form of disinformation. This strategy shifts the focus from “monotonous data” to emotional appeals aimed at winning hearts worldwide, making the disinformation more palatable and persuasive.
The consequences of this are grave. As China's propaganda becomes more widespread, the real stories of Tibetans—marked by cultural suppression, human rights violations, and the ongoing fight for genuine autonomy—risk being drowned out.
China’s manipulation of the Tibet narrative is part of a broader soft power propaganda network designed to shape international opinion. According to a report by IJ Reportika, the Chinese government emphasizes several key themes in its propaganda campaign:
Historical Claims and Territorial Integrity: Chinese state media consistently asserts that Tibet has been an integral part of China for centuries. Television series and documentaries depict Tibet’s integration as a harmonious and beneficial union, reinforcing Beijing's claim of sovereignty.
Economic Development and Modernization: The CCP portrays itself as the benefactor of Tibet, highlighting infrastructure, education, and healthcare improvements in the region. These narratives emphasize China’s role in enhancing Tibetan living standards while downplaying the destruction of Tibetan culture.
Cultural Preservation and Promotion: Chinese propaganda claims to preserve Tibetan culture but presents a sanitized, state-approved version of Tibetan traditions and religious practices. It conveniently ignores the severe restrictions imposed by Chinese authorities on religious freedom and cultural expression.
Stability and Unity: Dissent in Tibet is often portrayed as a threat to national stability and unity. Chinese media emphasizes the importance of maintaining strict security measures to legitimize the government’s policies in the region.
Films as Propaganda Tools: Various Chinese films and TV series, including Serf (1963) and Red River Valley (1997), depict the CCP as liberators who rescued Tibet from feudal oppression. These films promote the idea that Chinese intervention has modernized Tibet, further embedding the CCP's propaganda narrative into popular culture.
These carefully crafted themes help China promote a false image of peace and progress in Tibet while masking the harsh realities faced by Tibetans under Chinese rule.
Recently, Tibet Rights Collective initiated a powerful global campaign titled #TheNameIsTibet, which became a resounding success. The campaign aimed to counter China's attempts to erase Tibet's identity by pushing for the usage of the name “Tibet” instead of the Sinicized term “Xizang.” Through this movement, thousands of supporters from around the world, including key influencers and politicians, actively participated by tagging major museums and institutions such as Musée Guimet and Quai Branly in France, where China’s influence had resulted in the use of "Xizang" instead of Tibet.
The #TheNameIsTibet campaign was a significant milestone, creating a global conversation around the importance of preserving Tibet’s cultural and historical identity. By leveraging the power of social media, this movement successfully brought international attention to China’s erasure tactics, paving the way for further initiatives aimed at preserving the Tibetan narrative.
In light of China’s growing disinformation campaign, the United States has taken a strong stance against Beijing’s narrative control. A new bill passed in the U.S. reaffirms the longstanding American policy of supporting Tibet’s right to self-determination. It also explicitly rejects any future Dalai Lama appointed by Beijing, countering Chinese efforts to manipulate Tibetan spiritual leadership for political purposes.
This bill is a crucial response to China’s false historical claims and ongoing efforts to delegitimize the Tibetan government-in-exile. It sends a strong message that the international community will not tolerate Chinese disinformation and will continue to support Tibetans in their struggle for autonomy and the preservation of their cultural identity.
The Tibet International Communication Center is a direct assault on the truth, free expression, and the right of Tibetans to tell their own story. As China intensifies its disinformation campaign, the voices of Tibetans—both inside and in exile—must be supported and amplified. The success of campaigns like #TheNameIsTibet demonstrates that grassroots movements can have a significant impact in countering Chinese propaganda and protecting Tibet’s identity. The international community must remain vigilant and proactive in challenging Chinese disinformation to ensure that the real story of Tibet is not erased from global consciousness.
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