Tibetans Protest · Full chronicle and history

Xi Jinping visited India from September 12 to 13, staying for one night. During this period, his motorcade was intercepted by local Tibetans who ran toward it. Dozens of Tibetans were arrested by Indian police during the incident and subsequently released. On-site videos show that Indian military and police did not use lethal force against the protesters and displayed sympathy.

A Tibetan person climbed a utility pole near the U.S. Capitol in Washington to hang a Tibet independence flag and anti-communist slogans, and was subsequently arrested by police and released on bail.

On August 11, 2026, a monk at the Serta Larung Gar Five Sciences Buddhist Academy in Garze, Sichuan held up a portrait of the 10th Panchen Lama to protest forced demolition, and was subsequently taken away, his whereabouts unknown.

Exiled Tibetans living in India held a protest in Mumbai against China's Ethnic Unity and Progress Law, believing the law could accelerate the forced assimilation of ethnic minorities.

In Dharamsala in northern India, protesters held a candlelight vigil to mourn Tibetan activist Lhagar Rangzen, who died after setting himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters a month ago.

On August 2, 2026, Tibetans and human rights supporters in many parts of the world simultaneously launched a global day of action in New York, Dharamsala, Taipei, London and other places, holding coffin-carrying marches and candlelight vigils to mourn the Tibetan Lobsang Rangzen, who died after setting himself on fire.

In August 2026, hundreds of exiled Tibetans took to the streets in Dharamsala and Mumbai, India, to protest China's newly implemented National Unity and Progress Promotion Law, fearing that the law will accelerate the disappearance of the Tibetan language and cultural identity.

A man died after setting himself on fire in front of the UN Headquarters in New York. Tibetan exile media reported that the deceased was Lhoga Tsering, a Tibetan independence activist, whose last words condemned the Chinese Communist Party for depriving Tibetans of their human rights.

A 52-year-old Tibetan man, Lobsang Gyatso, died by self-immolation in front of the United Nations headquarters in New York. He had long been involved in the Tibetan freedom movement.

On the evening of July 2, 2026, Luogarangzan, a Tibetan independence activist exiled in the United States, set himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in New York while holding a Snow Lion flag and leaflets in protest against China's newly effective "National Unity Promotion Law"; he died of severe injuries after being taken to the hospital.

Tibetan activist Lobsang Gyatso died by self-immolation outside the UN headquarters in New York to express his dissatisfaction with the Chinese government.

Tibetan exiles in Dharamshala protested the law's implementation, criticizing it for erasing Tibetan culture, language, and way of life.

On July 1, 2026, the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress officially took effect. Tibetan and Uyghur groups warned at the UN that the law legalizes cultural erasure, while UN human rights experts stated it could severely impact the linguistic, cultural, and religious autonomy of ethnic minorities.

On June 18, 2008, in an episode of Kangsi Coming, female entertainer Xiang Ying showed a T-shirt printed with the Tibet independence flag, and hosts Kevin Tsai and Little S did not interrupt or correct her at any point. After the episode aired, mainland netizens condemned the show and demanded that it be banned; Kangsi Coming issued a statement saying it would reflect on the matter.

On March 2, 1989, a large number of Tibetans gathered in the square in front of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, shouting "down with corrupt officials," demanding the Dalai Lama's return to Tibet and the return of power to the Tibetan people. Hu Jintao dispatched armed police to clear the area, but it failed.

On the morning of February 7, 1989, the Snow Lion flag symbolizing Tibetan independence was raised in the main hall of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. More than 200 Lhasa police tried to force their way in to seize the flag but were driven out by the crowd. When the armed police returned the next day, the flag had already been hidden by Tibetans; the armed police took away more than 20 people and seized belongings to use as evidence.