Source: Tibet TV, Lhasa, in Mandarin 1200 gmt 29 May 96

Text of commentary entitled "Crack down on crimes to maintain stability", as broadcast by Chinese regional TV from Tibet

A campaign to crack down on crimes and to improve public order has been launched throughout the region recently. This is a substantive measure to implement the party Central Committee's important policy decision, as well as an undertaking which has received popular support. In line with the regional party committee and government's arrangements, all localities and departments should take vigorous action to plan and carry out the crackdown campaign in order to maintain social stability.

At present, Tibet is enjoying political stability, economic prosperity and social advancement. People across the region are marching forward, fully confident and united as one in implementing the Ninth Five-Year Plan. However, we should also realize soberly that splittists have continued to make trouble; the evil forces of criminal gangs and hooligans have run amok; heinous cases of murder, assault and robbery have taken place; and prostitution, drug trafficking and other social evils have continued to spread. All of these have seriously threatened the people's personal safety, property and social stability and have impeded the smooth progress of reform, opening up and economic development. Therefore, only by harshly striking out at crime can we create a sound political and social environment to enable the masses of people to live and work in peace and contentment, and ensure the smooth progress of reform, opening up and economic development.

The crackdown campaign, an important policy decision made by the party Central Committee, conforms in full with the actual condition in Tibet. The campaign is crucially important at a time when the people across the region are trying with full confidence to complete the Ninth Five-Year Plan and the long-term target for the year 2001.

We may well say that the success of the campaign is a prerequisite for maintaining a high degree of unity with the party Central Committee and the regional party committee; it is also a major issue for whether the people in Tibet can stand hand-in-hand with the people in other parts of the country in achieving economic prosperity.

Party committees and governments at all levels, as well as the people of the entire region, should be fully aware of the campaign's necessity, importance and urgency. With a strong sense of political responsibility, they should adopt a positive approach in deepening the campaign in accordance with the regional party committee and government's arrangements, thereby maintaining Tibet's excellent situation characterized by political stability and peace and contentment of the people.