Padma Choling

Padma Choling/Pema Thrinley 白玛赤林

Current position unknown

1952

Only Tibetan member of the 18th Central Committee. Former Governor of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR)


Overview

Pronunciation: Pema Chu-lay soundbite
Born: 1952 in Chamdo Prefecture.
Education: Joined the PLA in Qinghai Province aged 17.
Career: Served 17 years in PLA before becoming an official in the Tibetan regional government in 1986, working in Shigatse and then Lhasa, rising to Vice-Chair of the TAR in 2003. TAR Governor from 2010 – 2013 amid speculation that the appointment of a military man signaled China’s general approach after the 2008 Uprisings. Reportedly more amiable than his stern appearance. Nicknamed “beggar” by Tibetans in Lhasa. Promoted to the 18th CPC Central Committee in 2012 and Chaired TAR People’s Congress (succeeding Jampa Phuntsog) until January 2017 as well as a Deputy Party Secretary of TAR.
Prospects: Uncertain
Relevance to Tibet: Remains a major figure in TAR politics.



Standing in the Party and Career Highlights:

This is a “mini” profile. See Overview box above right. Note: On 17 January 2017, Governor of the Tibet Autonomous Region Losang Jamcan (Sinicisation of Lobsang Gyaltsen), replaced Padma Choling as Chair of the Standing Committee of the TAR People’s Congress.

The following article refers to Padma Choling.

LHASA, Jan. 10 2010 (Xinhua) – Tibet’s top government official on Monday said the fight against the Dalai Lama clique is meant to be lasting, intense, complicated, and sometimes fought vehemently.

“We are still facing an arduous task to fight secessionists and maintain stability in the region,” Padma Choling, chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region, said in his first government report submitted to the local legislature for review on Monday.

The secessionist forces led by the 14th Dalai Lama were blamed for provoking the deadly riots in Lhasa and other Tibetan regions in March 2008.

On another subject, Choling said the government’s goal in achieving rapid development and long-term stability in Tibet also faces challenges from lagging infrastructure construction, development gap between urban and rural areas, and lack of a system to ensure long-term growth of residents’ incomes.

Further, Choling noted that the region’s economy grew by 12.2 percent in 2010. Additionally, incomes for both urban residents and nomads continued to grow and efforts to tame environmental hazards were strengthened while new roads and airports were built.

The central government has been pouring vast amount of funding, personnel, and resources to assist Tibet’s development over the past decades. Much of these efforts can be seen in the complete makeover of Lhasa and other cities and towns in the region, along with their improved transport links – including the landmark Qinghai-Tibet Railway which began connecting the region by rail with the rest of the country in 2006.

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1 Response to Padma Choling

  1. editor says:

    In March 2010 Padma Choling revealed that the Panchen Lama, now 20, is still living in Tibet: “As far as I know, his family and he are now living a very good life in Tibet. He and his family are reluctant to be disturbed. They want to live an ordinary life.”

    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article7053071.ece

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