Free Tibet reported on the scheduled air raid drill last week.
According to Tibet Watch, Free Tibet’s research partner, an air defence alarm test took place in Tibet’s capital, Lhasa, on 19 September 2020.
Other media outlets also reported on the alarm and were able to obtain rare footage from inside Tibet of it.
The CCP-led Lhasa government made an official announcement ahead of the alarm taking place. Within the statement, they claimed that the test would contribute to “improv[ing] the general public’s conception of the national defence and civil air defence awareness…”.
The air defence test was held against the backdrop of growing border tensions between China and India.
Following on from the recent seventh Tibet Work Forum meeting, presided over by President Xi Jinping, the ongoing border tensions with India were among the top priorities. The importance of securing the Tibetan border as part of ensuring stability to China was also emphasised.
Accounts from inside Lhasa report of the drill causing fear in Tibetans. It also added to concerns among Tibetans at the intense militarisation of Tibet by the CCP government through the building of military camps, building strategic airports and the performance of numerous combat tests.
