Published by: World Tibet Network News Tuesday, December 16, 1997

Tuesday December 16 (South China Morning Post)

JASPER BECKER in Beijing

Increasing numbers of ethnic Chinese cadres have taken over positions of authority in Tibet.

This was in contradiction to publicised policies, according to a detailed study of the leadership of Tibet by the London-based Tibet Information Network.

Although Beijing claimed 82 per cent of the top positions were held by Tibetans, the study found 64 per cent were handled by Chinese cadres.

They still controlled most regional posts and high-level administrative positions, according to the new directory of leaders in Tibet, which lists 1,200 officials.

Ethnic Chinese cadres dominated the military and police and were in charge of economic policies, it said.

They may also be replacing Tibetans in the countryside as part of efforts to develop links between Tibet and other parts of the country.

Although Tibetans were given high-ranking ceremonial positions, the researchers concluded real power was wielded by their ethnic Chinese deputies.

In 62 of the 72 counties of the Tibet Autonomous Region which were studied, Chinese were listed as the deputy heads.

Only six per cent were women, although the official percentage was supposed to be 32 per cent.

Many ethnic Tibetans who were given top ceremonial posts as part of efforts to legitimise mainland rule in the 1950s were drawn from the old ruling elite, the aristocracy and the lamas.

The study claims they are being replaced by a new generation of Tibetan communists educated in China and trained by the Communist Party during the past 20 years.