Energy hunger grows again + Tibetan culture at risk

Tibet has its own culture and language. And officially, China claims to protect the customs of the different peoples on its territory. But in reality, the Communist Party has never been particularly squeamish about them. It combines the majority Han culture with good organization and economic prosperity. In recent years, the suppression of cultural diversity has only increased under the fig leaf of development.

The public focus lies particularly on the fate of the Uyghurs, but cultural homogenization also happens in Tibet. Beijing hopes that its desire for independence will fade with the loss of its cultural identity. The main cultural pillar is their own language. Instead of promoting local customs, the government sends children to boarding schools where they mainly speak Mandarin without contact with their parents. Tibet’s children are forgetting Tibetan, writes Marcel Grzanna in his analysis. In an interview with Table.Media, exiled President Penpa Tsering asks the German government for support.

Meanwhile, China’s economy is picking up momentum after the end of zero-Covid. What is a blessing for local German companies could bring new problems for energy policy. Because China is snatching up LNG from Germany, writes Joern Petring. One reason for the recent price drop on the German gas and oil market was China’s low demand. Now Beijing can use its long-term contracts with supplier countries like Qatar to receive preferential treatment.

Today, Johnny Erling delves into some of the mysteries of Chinese politics. Why did Xi Jinping vanish for a fortnight before taking office, and why did Lin Biao’s plane disappear over Outer Mongolia? Why were the Covid measures lifted so abruptly, and what happened to Hu Jintao? These and other mysteries still remain unanswered, but there are plenty of theories. China is still full of mysteries.

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Finn Mayer-Kuckuk