The Central Tibetan Administration in exile has cautioned against the use of the term ‘Xizang’ while referring to the Tibet region where a 6.8 magnitude earthquake killed at least 126 people.
Penpa Tsering, President of the Central Tibetan Administration in exile, said the use of the term ‘Xizang’ by governments and media implies being “played into the hands of propaganda of the Chinese government.”
” It is not just a name change from Tibet to ‘Xizang’, because the Chinese interpretation of using ‘Xizang’ is referring to Tibet only as the Tibet Autonomous Region, and not beyond those areas,” Tsering said while speaking to ANI.
“Tibet Autonomous Region is only half of Tibet. If you fall into this trap of using ‘Xizang’, then you are complicit in China’s narrative on Tibetan territory and Tibetan historical sovereignty,” he added.
#WATCH | Dharamshala, HP | President of the Central Tibetan Administration in exile, Penpa Tsering says, “Despite our request to many governments and newspapers not to use the word ‘Xizang’, because you are playing into using into the hands of propaganda of the Chinese govt. It… pic.twitter.com/LnctFB7NN8
— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2025
On Tuesday, the powerful earthquake struck Dingi county in Shigatse prefecture — home to Panchen Lama whose spiritual authority is second only to the Dalai Lama — sending ripples across Nepal and north India.
India expressed its grief over the tragedy with Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posting a statement on X: “Government and people of India express condolences on the tragic loss of life and property caused by the devastating earthquake in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”
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Notably, in its condolence message, Pakistan referred to the region as “Xizang.”
In a statement, Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said: “We are deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck Xizang.”
While India also recognises Tibet as a part of China, it does not refer to it as ‘Xizang’.
The quake displaced over 45,000 people and the rescuers concluded search operations on Wednesday near the foot of the Himalayas, reported Reuters. Two days after the quake, experts said those trapped under the rubble are likely to have succumbed to hypothermia, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius at night.
