Tibetan Exile Anniversary

Young Tibetan Buddhist monks walk at a monastery in Ra'gyagoinba ("Lajiasi" in Chinese) in northwest China's Qinghai province, a vast region on the Tibetan plateau known as Amdo. China deployed massive security across the Tibetan plateau today on the sensitive 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule that forced the Dalai Lama into exile (AFP/Frederic J. Brown).

BEIJING (AFP) – China deployed massive security across the Tibetan plateau Tuesday on the sensitive 50th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule that forced the Dalai Lama into exile.

• VIDEO: Security tight at Kumbum monastery on sensitive anniversary (AFP)
• VIDEO: China enforces security clampdown ahead of Tibet anniversary (CBC.ca)
• VIDEO: Tibetans' 50th uprising anniversary (AFP)

Residents of Tibet's capital, Lhasa, reported no protests Tuesday morning but -- as in other Tibetan areas of China -- it appeared to be partly because armed soldiers and police were patrolling the streets in a show of force.

Peaceful protests led by Buddhist monks in Lhasa on last year's anniversary erupted four days later into anti-Chinese rioting... More>>

• VIDEO: Dalai Lama says Chinese-ruled Tibet "hell on earth" (AFP)
• VIDEO: Dalai Lama marks anniversary of Tibet uprising (AP)
• VIDEO: Security tight at Kumbum monastery on sensitive anniversary (AFP)

Dalai Lama: "Hell on Earth"

DHARAMSHALA, India (AFP) – Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama accused China of having brought "hell on earth" to his homeland in a speech Tuesday on the sensitive 50th anniversary of a failed uprising.

As Chinese authorities deployed a massive security force across the Tibetan plateau to prevent protests, he demanded "legitimate and meaningful autonomy" for the region in a speech at his exile base in northern India. More>>