Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, May 12: A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck Shigatse, in Southern Tibet early Monday morning, according to the China Earthquake Administration (CEA). The tremor occurred at 5:11 a.m. local time at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).
Emergency response teams have been dispatched to the affected area, and no casualties have been reported so far, the CEA said in a statement.
However, international news agency Reuters drew criticism for referring to the region as “China’s Tibet” in its headline reporting the incident. The article, titled “Magnitude 5.5 earthquake strikes China’s Tibet.”
In an article titled “Magnitude 5.5 earthquake strikes China’s Tibet,” Reuters uncritically echoed a narrative long pushed by Beijing that seeks to normalize its occupation and control over the region. The use of the phrase “China’s Tibet” is seen by many as legitimising China’s sovereignty over Tibet, a historically independent nation until its invasion in the 1950s and subsequent illegal occupation in 1959.
Speaking to Phayul, Tenzin Lekshay, spokesperson for the exile Tibetan government known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), strongly condemned the terminology used by Reuters. “International media should not conveniently adopt the Chinese narrative of ‘Xizang’ or ‘China’s Tibet,’ as these terms are politically motivated and lack genuine historical substance. Such usage only serves to reinforce China’s long-standing obsession with legitimizing its rule over Tibet. However, those living in the free world—including the media—have both the liberty and the responsibility to seek the truth and must not become instruments of China’s systemic disinformation and misinformation about Tibet,” Lekshay said.
“China’s consistent use of the term ‘China’s Tibet’ reflects its underlying fear and insecurity regarding the legitimacy of its rule over Tibet,” he added.
When asked whether international media’s increasing alignment with China’s narrative is the result of political pressure or lack of awareness, Lekshay noted, “When it comes to Tibet, the media often play an unintentional role in spreading China’s false narratives. With Tibet largely closed off to foreign journalists, independent reporting from Tibet is extremely rare. As a result, many media outlets lack a clear understanding of Tibet’s historical context and current situation. This lack of access and information makes it easier for them to unwittingly adopt and amplify the false narratives pushed by China’s vast propaganda apparatus.”
“Reuters stop kowtowing to China’s propaganda! Using phrases like ” China’s Tibet” is an insult to the truth. #Tibet was illegally occupied by China in 1959. Now, China is attempting to erase Tibet’s very identity by forcing the term “Xizang” in place of “Tibet” in official documents. This is yet another act of cultural theft! Don’t let China rewrite history,” a user under the handle Bodpa Warriors on X wrote.
In January, over 130 died in a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Tibet’s Dingri county, around 240 km (149 miles) away from Shigatse.
China clamped down on flow of information at the time and downplayed the extent of damage of properties and casualties. Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency earlier reported that close to 60,000 people were affected, but later doubled the number to 1,20,000.
Authorities also summoned 21 Tibetan social media users for sharing information about the 7.1 magnitude earthquake highlighting the government’s tight grip on controlling narratives and restricting flow of information of the devastating earthquake in Tibet.
Authorities have reportedly banned the individuals from live streaming or posting online content, while photos and videos shared by Tibetans on various platforms have been systematically removed or made inaccessible. Those interrogated were accused of spreading “false information” about the disaster, with claims that they exaggerated the death toll, including one post stating 265 fatalities.
