China has been facing rising international criticism over its mass internment of Muslim minorities, and a recent report by researchers at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute bolsters the claims.

A report published in the New York Times on Thursday said the researchers have found that the Xinjiang authorities have been expanding a variety of detention sites since last year.

To this end, Lhadon Tethong, director of Tibet Action Institute, told WION&nbsp;the news was devastating and disturbing, but not surprising.

"Sadly, I am not surprised. The news is obviously devastating and disturbing. But it's not surprising at all," she said, adding, "China has been running a campaign to destroy the minorities. It has been running a campaign to destroy&nbsp;'Free Tibet'."

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"Beijing has so effectively closed down all of Tibet. Tibetans cannot go out. Diplomats, observers, journalists and other cannot get in. So it's really difficult to know what's happening on the ground in Tibet. But this report that broke out is the truth. It's not surprising at all," she said, in an exclusive conversation with WION.

The NYT report cited satellite images of new and expanded incarceration sites.

When asked if China has intensified its actions because it may be fearing another Tibetan uprising, Lhadon said, "I think the Chinese government lives in constant fear of what might happen in Tibet. In 2008, when the Tibetan uprising happened in the lead up to the Olympic Games, it was such a PR disaster for China."

She further hailed the Tibetan movement for continually rising up against China despite years of policy making.

Lhadon added according to her, the succession of the 14th Dalai Lama was going to be a flashpoint between Tibet and China.

"I think it won't be as bad as it should be if the internationl community steps in and holds Beijing to account. Regardless of what is said, the truth is the Chinese governemt does care about what the world says. Their actions are meditated and they are constantly testing the world community," she said, adding, "a show of strength against China is really important."

Lhadon added, "In case of Tibet, I really think the international attention has saved Tibet from what's happening in Xinjiang."

The activist also said Tibetans in India have always been the key to the survival of Tibet's ancient civilisation.

"India has shown generosity to Tibet, and has been helpful in showing what it has to offer to the world," she added.

She also said that with its border row with India in Ladakh, the world can now see that China is a threat to international peace.

"Until now, China had done a good job masking its true face," she said.

China has been facing rising international criticism over its mass internment of Muslim minorities, and a recent report by researchers at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute bolsters the claims.

China has been facing rising international criticism over its mass internment of Muslim minorities, and a recent report by researchers at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute bolsters the claims. A report published in the New York Times on Thursday said the researchers have found that the Xinjiang authorities have been expanding a variety of detention sites since last year. To this end, Lhadon Tethong, director of Tibet Action Institute, told WION the news was devastating and disturbing, but not surprising. "Sadly, I am not surprised. The news is obviously devastating and disturbing. But it's not surprising at all," she said, adding, "China has been running a campaign to destroy the minorities. It has been running a campaign to destroy 'Free Tibet'." × "Beijing has so effectively closed down all of Tibet. Tibetans cannot go out. Diplomats, observers, journalists and other cannot get in. So it's really difficult to know what's happening on the ground in Tibet. But this report that broke out is the truth. It's not surprising at all," she said, in an exclusive conversation with WION. The NYT report cited satellite images of new and expanded incarceration sites. When asked if China has intensified its actions because it may be fearing another Tibetan uprising, Lhadon said, "I think the Chinese government lives in constant fear of what might happen in Tibet. In 2008, when the Tibetan uprising happened in the lead up to the Olympic Games, it was such a PR disaster for China." She further hailed the Tibetan movement for continually rising up against China despite years of policy making. Lhadon added according to her, the succession of the 14th Dalai Lama was going to be a flashpoint between Tibet and China. "I think it won't be as bad as it should be if the internationl community steps in and holds Beijing to account. Regardless of what is said, the truth is the Chinese governemt does care about what the world says. Their actions are meditated and they are constantly testing the world community," she said, adding, "a show of strength against China is really important." Lhadon added, "In case of Tibet, I really think the international attention has saved Tibet from what's happening in Xinjiang." The activist also said Tibetans in India have always been the key to the survival of Tibet's ancient civilisation. "India has shown generosity to Tibet, and has been helpful in showing what it has to offer to the world," she added. She also said that with its border row with India in Ladakh, the world can now see that China is a threat to international peace. "Until now, China had done a good job masking its true face," she said.

Not surprising at all: Tibetan activist on new report on detention sites in China’s Xinjiang

In a strong signal to China, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav attended the funeral of Tibetan soldier Nyima Tenzin. The secret elite force trooper was killed in an accidental mine blast in Ladakh

Gravitas: Is India changing its policy towards Tibet?

China is planning a more than 1 trillion yuan ($146 billion) push to accelerate infrastructure investment in Tibet. This investment includes new and previously announced projects.

According to Reuters, the renewed push to step-up development of the remote and impoverished southwestern region signals Beijing's intent to bolster frontier security amid heightened border tensions with India in recent months.

Last week, during a senior Communist Party meeting on Tibet's future governance, President Xi Jinping lauded achievements and praised frontline officials but said more efforts were needed to enrich, rejuvenate and strengthen unity in the region.

He said a number of major infrastructure projects and public facilities would be completed, including the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, according to remarks published by the official Xinhua news agency.

The construction plans include completion of the challenging middle section of a high-elevation Sichuan-Tibet railway link, a railway line between Nepal and Tibet that has remained in the planning stages, and a newly planned dry port in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

The sources declined to be identified because they were not authorised to speak with media.

China's State Council Information Office and the Tibet regional government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Construction on the most difficult section of the Sichuan-Tibet railway - linking Chengdu with Lhasa - will begin in coming weeks.

The 270 billion yuan section of the railway has been known for construction challenges posed by rough terrain and complex geology, notably the segment linking Sichuan's Ya'an city with Nyingchi in southeastern Tibet near the border with India.

Beijing also wants to push ahead with the Tibet-Nepal Railway linking Kathmandu with Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, which was among a number of bilateral deals signed in 2018 between Nepal and China, but has yet to gain much traction.

Nepal is a buffer between China and India and is considered by New Delhi as its natural ally, but China has made inroads by pouring aid and infrastructure investment into what is one of the world's poorest countries.

A June clash in the western part of the China-India border was the worst violence between the Asian giants in decades, and there is little sign of easing tension, with more military action in the past week.

Beijing has long aimed to build a high-speed rail network to make Tibet more accessible from China's inland provinces, and it plans to improve or extend railways being planned or constructed that connect it with other parts of China.

Last month, China announced plans to expand the country's railway network by one-third over the next 15 years.

Within Tibet, the planned spending covers the revamp and expansion of highways, roads and scenic spots, two of the sources said.

Beijing sent troops into Tibet in 1950 in what it officially terms a peaceful liberation and maintains a heavy security presence in the region, which has been prone to unrest.

China rejects criticism from rights groups and Tibetan exiles of its rule there, saying it has brought much-needed development to a remote region and that it respects Tibet's culture and religion.

China's policies towards Tibet have come under the spotlight again this year amid worsening ties with the United States.

China is planning a more than 1 trillion yuan ($146 billion) push to accelerate infrastructure investment in Tibet. This investment includes new and previously announced projects.

China is planning a more than 1 trillion yuan ($146 billion) push to accelerate infrastructure investment in Tibet. This investment includes new and previously announced projects. According to Reuters, the renewed push to step-up development of the remote and impoverished southwestern region signals Beijing's intent to bolster frontier security amid heightened border tensions with India in recent months. Last week, during a senior Communist Party meeting on Tibet's future governance, President Xi Jinping lauded achievements and praised frontline officials but said more efforts were needed to enrich, rejuvenate and strengthen unity in the region. He said a number of major infrastructure projects and public facilities would be completed, including the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, according to remarks published by the official Xinhua news agency. The construction plans include completion of the challenging middle section of a high-elevation Sichuan-Tibet railway link, a railway line between Nepal and Tibet that has remained in the planning stages, and a newly planned dry port in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The sources declined to be identified because they were not authorised to speak with media. China's State Council Information Office and the Tibet regional government did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Construction on the most difficult section of the Sichuan-Tibet railway - linking Chengdu with Lhasa - will begin in coming weeks. The 270 billion yuan section of the railway has been known for construction challenges posed by rough terrain and complex geology, notably the segment linking Sichuan's Ya'an city with Nyingchi in southeastern Tibet near the border with India. Beijing also wants to push ahead with the Tibet-Nepal Railway linking Kathmandu with Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, which was among a number of bilateral deals signed in 2018 between Nepal and China, but has yet to gain much traction. Nepal is a buffer between China and India and is considered by New Delhi as its natural ally, but China has made inroads by pouring aid and infrastructure investment into what is one of the world's poorest countries. A June clash in the western part of the China-India border was the worst violence between the Asian giants in decades, and there is little sign of easing tension, with more military action in the past week. Beijing has long aimed to build a high-speed rail network to make Tibet more accessible from China's inland provinces, and it plans to improve or extend railways being planned or constructed that connect it with other parts of China. Last month, China announced plans to expand the country's railway network by one-third over the next 15 years. Within Tibet, the planned spending covers the revamp and expansion of highways, roads and scenic spots, two of the sources said. Beijing sent troops into Tibet in 1950 in what it officially terms a peaceful liberation and maintains a heavy security presence in the region, which has been prone to unrest. China rejects criticism from rights groups and Tibetan exiles of its rule there, saying it has brought much-needed development to a remote region and that it respects Tibet's culture and religion. China's policies towards Tibet have come under the spotlight again this year amid worsening ties with the United States.

China planning building spree in Tibet as tensions with India rise: Sources

For India, declaring Tibet as an occupied territory would rectify some historic wrongs. The consequences of when India recognised China's claims over Tibet due to panchsheel agreement.

When India recognised China's claims over Tibet

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India Tibet, News on India Tibet, stories on India Tibet, articles on India Tibet, India Tibet stories at Wion, India Tibet news, India Tibet latest news

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Not surprising at all: Tibetan activist on new report on detention sites in China’s Xinjiang

Gravitas: Is India changing its policy towards Tibet?

China planning building spree in Tibet as tensions with India rise: Sources

When India recognised China's claims over Tibet