China: As a new crackdown follows the incarceration of a religious leader strengthens control over Tibetan territories

China: Following the imprisonment of well-known Buddhist leader Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin, Chinese authorities have increased political pressure on Tibetan communities in Amdo Golog. According to Phayul, the development has heightened concerns about growing monitoring and forceful control across Tibetan territories.

Phayul claims that Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin, the head of the Minthang Ethnic Vocational School and abbot of Minthang Monastery, Osel Thegchog Ling, was arrested on December 4 under unexplained circumstances.

No formal charges have been made public, and no details about his present whereabouts or the authorities holding him have been made public. Chinese authorities called a mandatory gathering in the Minthang region after his detention, calling it the “2025 Rural Governance Credit Score Exchange Conference.”

The choice to abstain was essentially removed when residents were told that at least one representative from each home was required to participate.

Officials allegedly cautioned residents against activities deemed detrimental to “social stability,” such as disseminating private information and participating in what they called “rumor-mongering,” during the event.

Participants were informed that noncompliance with state directions might result in financial fines or other administrative repercussions, as well as a decrease from their rural governance credit ratings.

Introduced in Minthang in 2018, the rural credit system ties political compliance to people’ access to benefits. Residents earn points under the program by taking part in state-approved activities, attending official events, and adhering to government initiatives.

Afterwards, these points may be redeemed for cash or merchandise via a “points bank.” However, as Phayul pointed out, the value of points fluctuates every year, making local lives more reliant on changing governmental policy.

Critics contend that the system essentially enforces allegiance while penalizing disagreement, serving as an instrument of coercion rather than advancement.

According to Phayul, local Tibetans are even more alarmed by the increased enforcement after Chogtrul Dorje Tenzin’s arrest since they see it as a part of a larger effort to stifle religious leadership and communal sovereignty.