Q: On December 14, 2023, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning “the abduction of Tibetan children and forced assimilation practices through Chinese boarding schools in Tibet”, calling the EU and its member states to take actions accordingly. What’s your comment? 

A: The European Parliament’s relevant resolution, in total disregard of facts, spreads disinformation, deliberately smears China, and gravely interferes with China’s internal affairs. China deplores and firmly opposes this.

Since its peaceful liberation more than seven decades ago, Xizang has long enjoyed booming economy, harmonious and stable society, and effective protection and promotion of cultural heritage. The rights and freedom of people of all ethnic groups in Xizang, including the freedom of religious belief and the freedom to use and develop their ethnic groups’ spoken and written languages, are fully protected.

As is commonly seen around the world, there are boarding schools across Chinese provinces and regions to meet the need of local students. In the case of Xizang, this is a region of high altitude and highly scattered population. Children have to travel long distances to get to school. If schools were to be built in every place the students live, it would be very difficult to ensure adequate teachers and quality of teaching in each school. That is why boarding schools have been set up by local governments as a practical way to ensure all children’s equal right to education. It is entirely up to the children and their parents whether to board or not. Students can choose to go home on every weekend, holiday and festival, as well as during the winter and summer breaks. Parents can visit their children at any time and take them home whenever needed. Courses of traditional culture, such as Xizang language and literature and folk dance, are widely available, traditional food unique to the Xizang Plateau is provided, and students are allowed to wear traditional dresses at these schools. The boarding schools in Xizang are in fact vivid examples of China’s efforts to protect human rights and cultural heritage in Xizang. The so-called “forced assimilation” is a completely false assertion.

Issues related to Xizang are purely China’s internal affairs that allow no interference by any external forces. We urge the European Parliament to respect the facts and change its course. It should stop disseminating rumors concerning Xizang, and stop using Xizang-related issues to interfere with China’s internal affairs and damage China’s interests. Instead, greater efforts are required to promote exchanges and cooperation between China and the EU, and enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples.