Sikyong Penpa Tsering Successfully Wraps Up Northeast Visit, Critiques PRC’s Failing Administration
Siliguri: On the final day of his official visit to the Tibetan settlements in West Bengal, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the incumbent Kalon (Minister) of the Department of Religion and Culture, visited several Tibetan monasteries across the region, including Druk Sangag Choling Monastery, Sakya Guru Monastery, Phuntsok Ngayab Choeling Monastery, and Samdrup Darjay Choling Monastery, on his way to Siliguri.
Meanwhile, at the Sonada Tashiling Tibetan settlement, Sikyong toured key governmental and non-governmental offices, as well as a four-acre vacant plot of land owned by the settlement office, before addressing the public at a convened gathering.
In his address, Sikyong succinctly reiterated key points he had raised during previous visits to other settlements on this second leg of his official tour. These included: the contributions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the older generation of exile Tibetans in establishing a robust community with a fully functioning democratic system; the geopolitical and strategic importance of the Tibetan plateau; the need to understand Tibet’s historical status as an independent nation; the importance of preserving the endangered Tibetan cultural heritage; and the 16th Kashag’s key initiatives to bring development and ensure the continued sustenance of Tibetan settlements and institutions in exile, as well as its international Tibet advocacy campaigns. Additionally, Sikyong provided an insightful analysis of the current political instability within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership, its disruption of global harmony, and the ongoing threats posed to neighbouring countries through various mega projects in the Tibetan region.
Sikyong explained, “Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has fostered an environment of deep insecurity, both within the leadership and throughout the party apparatus. Xi’s consolidation of power, particularly through his anti-corruption campaign, has created a climate of fear, where potential rivals are purged, and officials live in constant worry of being accused of disloyalty or errors. Loyalty to Xi has become the most important trait for survival within the CCP, and any deviation from his views or authority can lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment or public humiliation.”
Sikyong further apprised that China’s economy is currently grappling with a series of challenges, including a sharp decline in consumer demand, a shrinking workforce due to demographic shifts, and the ongoing fallout from its zero-COVID policies. As a result, many regions have seen the emergence of “ghost towns”—large, abandoned urban developments that were once envisioned as centres of growth. This economic stagnation has also spurred a growing youth movement known as “lay-flat,” where young people are rejecting traditional career paths in favour of opting out of the rat race altogether. In some cases, individuals have even taken to working for their parents in exchange for payment, a reflection of the increasingly unstable job market and the pressure felt by the younger generation to survive in a system that no longer offers clear opportunities for upward mobility.
Furthermore, Sikyong clarified that the “One China” policy, which asserts that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the sole legitimate government of all Chinese territories, does not apply to Tibet’s status. He also added, “The PRC’s One-Child Policy significantly altered China’s population structure. It led to a sharp decline in birth rates and an ageing population, with fewer young people to support an increasingly elderly society. The policy also caused gender imbalances due to a cultural preference for sons, resulting in a surplus of men in the population. These demographic shifts have created long-term economic challenges, including a shrinking workforce and greater pressure on social welfare systems.”
After successfully concluding his official visits, Sikyong then proceeded to Salugara for his departure. Due to a flight rescheduling caused by weather conditions, Sikyong took the opportunity to visit the Ewam India Buddhist Monastery and the Tibetan Mentseekhang branch in Salugara.
