DHARAMSHALA: The provincial government of China’s Gansu province recently held a grand festive celebration of the 60th founding anniversary of Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. But information received by the Central Tibetan Administration reveal that local Tibetans of the region were barred from attending the celebration which, ironically, was held to depict the development and prosperity of Tibetans under the Chinese government in the last 60 years.

A Tibetan resident of the area was quoted as saying, “Our presence at the celebration was deemed as a threat to social security and harmony, so we have been ordered by the local authorities not to attend the celebration.”

Another Tibetan also said that hundreds of Chinese policemen surrounded the venue of the celebration to thwart any possible attempts by local Tibetans to take part in the celebration. Local Tibetan singers and artistes were banned from performing at the event but TV personalities from China Central Television as well as Chinese singers and artistes from elsewhere are invited to perform at the event.
 
Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (incorporated into China’s Gansu Province) comprises of  Sangchu county, Machu county, Luchu county, Drukchu county, Thewo county and Choney county in its jurisdiction. The largest town in the prefecture is Tsoe township.