Tibet officials 'prepare for war'(2)

A Tibetan, said to be a monk, set himself on fire in Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan on Wednesday, the BBC reported. The man was allegedly taken away by police and his current condition is unknown.

Wang Zhongchen, a publicity official with the Sichuan provincial government, told the Global Times Thursday that he was not aware of such an incident taking place.

At least two mob attacks on police stations were reported late January in Tibetan areas of Sichuan, leaving at least two people dead and more than a dozen injured.

An official surnamed Gou with the publicity department of Ganzi in Sichuan told the Global Times that such cases were isolated and that the majority of Tibetan people in the prefecture yearn for stability.

"Such tragic incidents in Sichuan's Tibetan area have to do with geographic and historical factors, which made Tibetan people there more aggressive," Xiong explained. "Meanwhile, less strict management in this area also led to this problem."

The Ganzi Daily earlier quoted Liu Daoping, Party chief of Ganzi, as saying that the Dalai Lama clique had claimed to wage "a decisive battle," posing great challenges to the stability-maintaining tasks.

Xiong said such violence and self-immolation cases have violated the creeds of Tibetan Buddhism.

"To politicize Buddhism is the way for the Dalai Lama to cause a sensation, which would help them win support from the West," said Xiong.

"Such knockout incidents could boost their campaign and win them bigger chances to fulfill their political purpose. They fear being marginalized."

Meanwhile, Xu with the United Front Work Department also noted that it is understandable for security to be tightened since the 18th National Congress of CPC will take place later this year. A major reshuffle of the top leadership is expected to take place.

"Officials are supposed to be dispatched to the basic units at grass-roots level to ensure stability," said Xu.

He added that all the requirements are for officials and that the lives of the public would not be affected.

Separately, during a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna in Beijing on Wednesday, Zhou Yongkang, a senior leader of the CPC, stated that the question concerns China's national interests and that the Chinese government will crack down on secessionists and safeguard its territorial integrity, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Krishna reiterated that India recognizes Tibet as a part of China and will not tolerate "anti-China activities" on Indian territory.