At its Sixth Tibet Work Forum held in Beijing over the weekend on August 25-26, China unequivocally emphasised the importance of security, stability and the struggle against ‘separatism.’ Heralding the likely imposition of tougher controls and security measures in Tibetan areas, it also identified the Dalai Lama as “a prime cause of Tibetan ‘separatism’.” This was the first Tibet Work Forum convened by Xi Jinping after his appointment as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Central Committee (CC) and President of China. A 20-character summary of his Tibet policy, which Xi Jinping presented at the Forum, contained five points. These were to ‘rule Tibet by law; make the Tibetan people prosper and Tibet’s economy thrive; undertake the long-term development of Tibet; consolidate the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people; and build a solid foundation.’
China’s official media reports highlighted the importance accorded by the Forum to security, stability and the struggle against ‘separatism’ and observed that these had been placed above economic development. The official Global Times, a subsidiary of the party mouthpiece People’s Daily, on August 27, reported: “Stressing that national unity, consolidating ethnic unity, and realising long-term and comprehensive social stability should be regarded as the primary task for the region, Xi said that the country should ‘firmly take the initiative’ in the fight against separatism, and adhere to the principle of governing Tibet under the rule of law.” It added that the Dalai Lama is a prime cause of Tibetan ‘separatism.’ [Source]