China/Tibet

China to build up "Great Wall" against separatism ahead of Tibetan anniversary

Article published on the 2009-03-09 Latest update 2009-03-09 13:59 TU

Buddhist monks praying for the Dalai Lama at a temple in the Indian town of Mcleodgunj
(Photo: Reuters)

Chinese President Hu Jintao has called on Tibetan leaders to guard against separatism, as a police car and fire engine were hit by handmade explosives on Monday in Golog.

Hu made the announcement before the anniversary of the 1959 Tibetan revolt on Tuesday.

“We must build up a Great Wall in our fight against separatism and safeguard the unity of the motherland, and push Tibet’s basic stability toward long-term security,” Hu said, according to reports in the Chinese media.

The media also reported on protests by dozens of people in Golog on Sunday, a Tibetan populated region in the north west of China.

And Chinese authorities have made it clear that they are preparing for further demonstrations during the anniversary, after riots in Tibet 12 months ago.

“To protect stability in Tibet, we have deployed military troops to strengthen controls at entry points and on key roads along Tibet’s border,” Fu Hongyu, a border control official told the Chinese news agency Xinhua.

The failed uprising in 1959 came almost a decade after Chinese troops entered the region.

It is thought thousands died during the unrest which prompted the flight of Tibet’s spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and other government officials.