Newsdesk: Troops remain, detentions continue in Tibet

Ding Xiao’s report from RFA’s Mandarin service:

A journalist working in Beijing for a British television station who was not selected to go to Lhasa told RFA Mandarin reporter Ding Xiao on Thursday that the invitation by the Chinese government was highly selective:

“After the announcement was made, we tried like mad to get more information from the Foreign Ministry and the State Council’s information office.  They said only a certain number of people could go, that there was only a limited number of slots.  None of the major television media outlets were selected – the only exceptions were AP television, which only provides video footage without actual reporting, and Al Jazeera Arabic.  Al Jazeera English was not invited.  The selection was most likely based on certain considerations…  There was a protest today (during the visit).  I think a second such tour may be difficult.”

A Han Chinese woman surnamed Zhao who owns a shop in Lhasa had this exchange with RFA Mandarin reporter Qiao Long on Thursday:

Zhao: Things should be okay now.  Only a couple of days ago there were troops at every intersection.  There was trouble in some areas, but things were quiet in other areas.  The troops pulled away yesterday.

Qiao Long: Did the troops move into the monasteries?

Zhao:  Definitely.  There must still be troops there.

·         A Tibetan woman who lives outside Lhasa:

Tibetan woman: We are not clear on the situation.  We do not go out that much

Qiao Long: Did you hear about the protest at the Drepung monastery?

Tibetan woman:  It’s 15 kilometers from where we are.  We stay home and watch the television.  We do not go there

Qiao Long:  What is your view on the protest?

Tibetan woman: We ordinary folks do not…  Let’s not talk about it.   Please, I implore you…

·     A Han Chinese woman living in Zhuoni county, in the southern part of Gansu province, said:

Han woman: They arrested a lot of Tibetans.  Those who committed serious crime are being detained, those whose offenses were not so serious have been released.

Qiao Long: Are there still police in the temples?

Han woman:  Yes.

Qiao Long: Did you see people getting arrested?

Han woman: They were being hauled to our county one car load after another.