Pakablog! » tibet http://blog.parker.hk Mundane babblings of a hybrid Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:44:42 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Flags in Tibet http://blog.parker.hk/2009/11/297/ http://blog.parker.hk/2009/11/297/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:10:06 +0000 Terence http://blog.parker.hk/?p=297
Lots of PRC flags on display throughout Tibet

Lots of PRC flags on display throughout Tibet

One thing I noticed in my travels through Tibet was the abundance of Chinese flags prominently on display – even in remote villages occupied by ethnic Tibetans. This is interesting of course because it is not what you would expect considering the political sentiments in the area: sure, certain other flags are banned, but then you’d think one would settle to avoid flying any flag altogether!

I put this issue to my guide: apparently some Tibetans have been harassed in the past for not being patriotic enough. So there you have it – the secret to a harmonious society: coercion and forced patriotism.

Surely the local party chiefs can’t be this stubborn?

]]> http://blog.parker.hk/2009/11/297/feed/ 0 Tibet “open for foreigners” http://blog.parker.hk/2009/09/tibet-open-for-foreigners/ http://blog.parker.hk/2009/09/tibet-open-for-foreigners/#comments Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:41:03 +0000 Terence http://blog.parker.hk/?p=265 This amusing clip on CCTV (China Central Television) claims that Tibet is open for foreigners and that there are no restrictions. They even boast of having 36 organised groups – including 12 of foreigners for the National Day Holiday week!

Firstly, it’s a load of bollocks. I’m planning a trip to Tibet mid-October and there’s certainly been no relaxation of TTB requirements. If anything, they are now stricter than two years ago, and regulations are constantly changing (though to be fair it’s still better than during the Olympics).

Secondly, as if the clip is supposed to impress that China is open about Tibet, an announcement that there are no restrictions is about as reassuring as claiming one didn’t commit robbery today – surely the opposite of normal ‘newsworthiness’. Except, when it comes to Tibet, to say it’s unrestricted is newsworthy… but if only it were true.

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