Earthquake in Tibet |
Yushu earthquake a Tibetan earthquake
Tibetan needs to be prioritised
Free Tibet is concerned that Tibetan needs and identity may not be respected as reconstruction begins in Yushu county. Chinese state media reported on 4 May that the first foundations for new buildings to replace those that were destroyed by the earthquake have been layed. China has a history in Tibet of awarding construction contracts to Chinese state-owned companies so that funds meant for Tibet leave the area having barely touched the ground. It is vital that at this time when a strongly Tibetan area has been devastated, Tibetans are given equal opportunities for employment in the reconstruction. It is also vital that the traditional Tibetan nature of the area is reflected in the rebuild so that Yushu remains clearly Tibetan, rather than becoming yet another Chinese concrete colony.
Press coverage of earthquake initially misleading
“China Earthquake” headlines in media reports of 14 April’s earthquake in Yushu county in Tibet are failing to convey an accurate impression that the earthquake occurred in the heart of Tibet and in an area that has an overwhelmingly Tibetan population.
Major media outlets, including the BBC, New York Times, The Times, ABC, Al Jazeera and The Guardian, led their reports with ”China Earthquake” headlines.
Free Tibet believes these headlines are misleading: they created an impression of a “Chinese earthquake” when, in fact, the epicentre of the quake was located in one of the regions of Tibet (Yushu Prefecture) that has remained most heavily Tibetan in population, according to Tibet population expert, Dr Andrew Fischer. Even the Chinese government refers to Yushu as a “Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture” because it recognises that Yushu is an area that is predominantly Tibetan.
Free Tibet Director, Stephanie Brigden, who worked in Yushu, said on 15 April:
“Over the two-years that I worked in Yushu county, including in remote villages and with the nomadic communities, I was surprised how within a such a short time many of the businesses such as restaurants and the carpentry shops changed ownership from Tibetan to Chinese. Many Tibetan friends would complain how incentives from Beijing favoured Chinese businessmen and many were angry as they began to feel marginalised in their own towns. But overall the identity of the area remained Tibetan, the sheer remoteness of the area and the difficult conditions, not least the altitude meant it was protected against the worst impacts of mass migration which is so evident in places like Lhasa.
As the humanitarian response moves from search and rescue and saving life to longer term development it’s important the needs of the Tibetan people are prioritised. The earthquake will inevitably mean huge sums of money will be invested into the area. It is vital Tibetans have equal access to any opportunities these funds create, including employment. As new infrastructure is built, including homes, schools and hospitals we hope they reflect the Tibetan identify of Yushu.”
Photos from Woeser's blog
 The earthquake hit Yushu in the early hours of Wednesday 14 April 2010. Hundreds have been killed and thousands injured in the disaster. |  Tibetans in neighbouring regions have come together to show their support for the relief effort, some donating the equivalent of a month's salary. |
 The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has requested permission from China to visit the quake victims in Yushu. |  Photos taken at the scene of the earthquake show both Tibetan monks and Chinese relief workers pulling victims from the rubble. |
