Colombo. The Communist Party of China (CCP) is making continuous efforts to erase Tibetan identity. Language, religion and culture are being targeted. A recent report has claimed that the Chinese administration is forcibly removing Tibetan religious symbols and replacing them with Chinese nationalist symbols. According to the report, satellite images have revealed that the sacred Buddhist mantra Om Mani Padme Hum carved in stones on the hills of Tibet has been removed and the Chinese flag has been installed there. Not only this, Tibetan nomads were forced to remove the traditional Mani prayer flag and asked to replace it with Chinese flags. Along with this, people were also included in political re-education i.e. ideological training sessions.
Another media report said that cultural repression in Tibet has reached more dangerous levels in recent years. Recently Chinese authorities burned traditional prayer flags, citing fire danger. Local people have called this a new and serious step in China’s campaign to erase Tibetan religious traditions. Reports say that Mani prayer flags and prayer wheels have been removed or broken several times over the past few years. These actions were taken without any solid or logical reason.
Meanwhile, when the 90th birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama was being celebrated, the Chinese administration imposed strict restrictions on movement and religious activities in Tibet. Those who refuse to be part of Beijing’s re-education program face detention on trumped-up charges, lengthy prison terms and social ostracism, according to reports. Italian religious sociologist described these incidents as an insult and violation of sanctity. He said that the CCP wants to destroy Tibetan religion and culture and leave an artificial, Disney-like image created for tourists.
The report said that about 300 Buddhist stupas were demolished in Tibet’s Kham province in mid-2025. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has described it as a blatant act of cultural subversion, which has deeply shocked Tibetans around the world. CTA says that Chinese authorities justify these demolition actions by citing violation of government land and rules, but the debris of the sacred stupas has been completely removed, thereby erasing the traces of centuries-old faith.
