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First Post
12-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Chinese colonialism? Beijing forcing 1 mn Tibetan children into boarding schools, erasing cultural identity
At least 100,000 are preschoolers between the ages of 4 and 6, and over 900,000 older children from Tibet have been forcibly placed in Chinese government-run boarding schools read more China is putting Tibetan children in boarding schools where they are denied knowledge of their mother tongue. Image courtesy: Free Tibet More than one million Tibetan children and adolescents have been forcibly placed in Chinese government-run boarding schools across Tibet, where they are subjected to abuse, neglect and political indoctrination, according to a new report released Friday by the Tibetan Action Institute (TAI). Among them, at least 100,000 are preschoolers between the ages of 4 and 6, the report said. Citing interviews with Tibetan parents and fieldwork conducted by researchers, the report accused Chinese authorities of using the boarding school system to carry out what it called 'student colonisation' and erase Tibetan cultural identity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'As the Chinese govt manoeuvres to co-opt the institution of Dalai Lama by interfering in the reincarnation process, it is simultaneously targeting Tibetan children through assimilationist policies that threaten Tibet's survival as a distinct people,' TAI said in a statement. Dr. Gyal Lo, a Tibetan sociologist who contributed to the report, said the initiative is part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's strategy to undermine Tibet's 4,700-year-old civilisation. Gyal Lo, who fled Tibet in 2020, said he personally visited more than 50 residential preschools in the Tibetan provinces of Amdo and Kham, estimating that around 100,000 Tibetan children in the preschool age group have been separated from their families and housed in these institutions. In addition, the report estimates that another 900,000 children and adolescents aged between 6 and 18 are also being kept in similar residential schools. TAI said the children are prohibited from speaking Tibetan, taught exclusively in Mandarin, and instructed using only government-approved history and ideology. 'In boarding schools, the indoctrination process begins from a very young age. The children are restricted from speaking their mother tongue - Tibetan - taught in Chinese language, forced to learn and speak Chinese and taught only state-approved history,' the report said. The schools also subject children to constant messaging emphasising the centrality of Chinese identity and culture, and loyalty to the Communist Party of China, the report said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The group also highlighted that monks and nuns under the age of 18 have been forcibly transferred to these institutions in recent years, contributing to the Chinese government's broader crackdown on Tibetan religious and cultural life. There was no immediate comment from Chinese authorities on the findings of the report. Beijing has previously denied allegations of cultural repression in Tibet, saying its policies have improved economic development and education access in the region.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
China 'colonising' 1 million Tibet kids in boarding schools: Report
The TAI report recounts statements of parents of some children over how they are constantly subjected to abuse, neglect, indoctrination and 'identity erasure' in a vast network of schools run by Chinese govt in Tibet NEW DELHI: A million Tibet an children and adolescents have been forcibly lodged in Chinese administration-run boarding schools in occupied Tibet, with at least 1 lakh of them being preschoolers in the 4-6 age group, according to a report released here on Friday by the Tibetan Action Institute (TAI). The report recounts statements of parents of some of these children over how they are constantly subjected to abuse, neglect, indoctrination and "identity erasure" in a vast network of boarding schools and preschools run by the Chinese govt in Tibet. "As the Chinese govt manoeuvres to co-opt the institution of Dalai Lama by interfering in the reincarnation process, it is simultaneously targeting Tibetan children through assimilationist policies that threaten Tibet's survival as a distinct people," a TAI statement said. "It's student colonisation," a systematic strategy adopted by Chinese President Xi Jinping to erase the 4,700-year-old culture of Tibet, said Dr Gyal Lo, a Tibetan sociologist who was part of the fieldwork for compiling the report. Gyal Lo fled Tibet in 2020 and is now engaged with the TIA. He estimated that there are at least one lakh preschoolers in the 4-6 age group who have been taken away from their parents from rural parts of Tibet and lodged in boarding schools run by the Chinese administration. In addition, there are around 9 lakh children and adolescents in the 6-18 age group who have been put up in boarding schools. The report also mentions forcible transfer of monks and nuns under 18 to these schools. Gyal Lo, the report said, visited more than 50 boarding preschools in Amdo and Kham provinces of Tibet, coming up with the estimate that at least 100,000 Tibetan children are living in preschool residential institutions across Tibet at present. "In boarding schools, the indoctrination process begins from a very young age. The children are restricted from speaking their mother tongue - Tibetan - taught in Chinese language, forced to learn and speak Chinese and taught only state-approved history," the report stated. It further said students in these boarding schools are exposed to persistent teachings about the centrality of Chinese identity, history, and culture and the importance of Communist Party of China.
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Toy Story Reloaded: Youngsters turn kids for playtime at Toy Biz 2025 @ Bharat Mandapam in Delhi
A dollhouse with a functional lift and fan? Playtime just got an upgrade! Price: ₹3,950.(Photo: Isha Yadav/HT) Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji… is the Bollywood song that comes to mind as one enters Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan to visit the ongoing Toy Biz International Expo 2025. It's here that one feels like forgetting budgets and splurging for just the sight of toys on display is enough to entice not just children but even adults. 'Youngsters buy these toys as showpieces and some of the toys often act as a stress buster for the. So not just children but toys are these days very popular among all age groups,' says Eshika Jaipuria, an exhibitor at the ongoing expo. Miniature bike models (10 cm x 8 cm) are perfect collector's keepsakes. Price: ₹940.(Photo: Isha Yadav/HT) Make tea time playtime with this adorable kettle set. Price: ₹3,000.(Photo: Isha Yadav/HT) Cuddle the plushies or snack on Price: ₹50 (wholesale) per box.(Photo: Isha Yadav/HT) 'In the past two-three years, Indian toy manufacturers have increasingly focused on exports rather than imports. We have been receiving orders from around the world, as businesses globally are placing substantial import orders for Indian toys. Through expos like this, international buyers get to witness the high quality products made by the Indian brands. Countries like the USA, UK, Germany, and Mexico are among the top importers of Indian toys,' says Ajay Aggarwal, president of the Toy Association of India (TAI) that organises this annual expo. Handmade puppets from Karnataka are delightful pretend-play toys that instantly win hearts. Price: ₹600 onwards (per piece).(Photo: Isha Yadav/HT) Catch It Live What: 16th Toy Biz International Expo Where: Hall 2 to 5, Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan When: July 4 to 7 Timing: 10am to 7pm Entry: Free (Registration at the venue) Nearest Metro Station: Supreme Court on the Blue Line Story by Isha Yadav For more, follow HT City Delhi Junction
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Scheme to boost toy production soon: Piyush Goyal
Piyush Goyal announced a scheme to boost toy production. The scheme will focus on enhancing design, quality, packaging, and brand building. India's toy industry is now exporting to 153 countries. This shift is due to policy support and quality standards. The government will support startups with innovative toy concepts. Industry leaders see huge potential to increase toy exports from India. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said a scheme to boost toy production in the country will be finalised soon after consultation with the said that huge potential is there to boost toy manufacturing and exports."For toy production, we are coming out with a scheme soon," Goyal said here while inaugurating Toy Biz International B2B Expo 2025, organised by Toy Association of India (TAI).Further, he said the government's upcoming support measures will not be export incentives; instead, they will be based on the criteria of enhancing production and job scheme, he explained, will aim to help Indian toy manufacturers become world-class by enhancing design capabilities, ensuring quality manufacturing, strengthening packaging, and supporting brand toy industry, once heavily dependent on imports, is now manufacturing domestically and exporting to 153 countries, he said, adding that this shift has been made possible through consistent policy support, the enforcement of quality standards, and the strengthening of local manufacturing implementation of the Quality Control Order (QCO), he added, has helped make India a quality-conscious country and enabled domestic toy manufacturers to meet global minister stated that India's population of 1.4 billion offers a vast captive market, which creates a natural advantage for scaling up capture the global market, Goyal stressed the need for the industry to focus on good branding, attractive packaging, and strong product said that if these three aspects are prioritised, Indian toys can gain stronger appeal across international he informed that startups developing innovative toy concepts have received significant support through the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Gupta, promotor of Playgro Toys India, said that huge potential is there to increase expires of toys from similar views, Greater Noida-based Little Genius Toys Pvt Ltd CEO Naresh Kumar Gautam said, "Our products received huge appreciation, be it wooden education toys or soft toys in the world market".
AllAfrica
27-06-2025
- Business
- AllAfrica
Malaysia quietly flying Turkish drones over South China Sea
In June 2025, Malaysia took a decisive yet understated step in fortifying its maritime domain awareness by confirming the deployment of three Turkish-made Anka‑S unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones will operate from Labuan, with the first sorties expected to commence later this year over the South China Sea. Yet the symbolism of such deployments—especially in a region as fraught and strategically sensitive as the South China Sea—must be carefully interpreted. This is not about picking sides between the United States and China. Nor is it a belligerent signal to any one power. Instead, Malaysia's choice reflects a doctrine of quiet diplomacy: one that prioritizes sovereignty without provocation, and preparedness without escalation. Whenever the South China Sea is invoked in regional headlines, it is often painted as a zero-sum contest between China and Southeast Asia. That portrayal misses the nuance of Malaysia's approach. For decades, Malaysia has pursued a policy of principled engagement—asserting its maritime rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) while maintaining constructive, often warm, ties with China. Malaysia's procurement of surveillance drones does not undermine that tradition. Rather, it reinforces our commitment to defend our interests with clarity and calm—not capitulation, nor confrontation. The Anka‑S, designed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), was chosen through a transparent international tender that included bids from the United States' General Atomics (offering the MQ‑9 Reaper) and China's AVIC (offering the Wing Loong II). That Malaysia selected Turkey was not a rejection of the US or China per se—it was a choice based on strategic fit, affordability, reliability, and non-politicized defence procurement. The Anka‑S platform, with its 24–30 hours of endurance, encrypted satellite communications, synthetic aperture radar, EO/IR cameras, ground-moving target indicators (GMTI), and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, provides a vital capability in monitoring activity across Malaysia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) without compromising our diplomatic equilibrium. It is also essential to note that these drones are unarmed. They are surveillance platforms, not strike systems. Malaysia is not militarizing its maritime space; it is strengthening maritime situational awareness in a region with complex and overlapping claims, illegal fishing, piracy, and growing commercial activity. The message is straightforward: Malaysia is watching—not menacing. Malaysia is asserting its rights, not staking new claims. More than a defense acquisition, the Anka‑S symbolizes a maturing partnership between Malaysia and Turkey. As a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN and NATO's second-largest military force, Turkey stands at a unique intersection of East and West. It maintains a robust relationship with both the United States and China and has earned a reputation for pursuing independent diplomacy. Turkey's strategic balance, reflected in its engagement with Russia, Europe, and the Muslim world, resonates with ASEAN's own non-aligned but active diplomacy. In many ways, Türkiye is a mirror of Malaysia's geopolitical posture: firm in its sovereignty, flexible in its partnerships. Turkey's defense industry also offers something often missing in dealings with traditional great powers—mutual respect and shared technological growth. The Anka‑S is a product of indigenous Turkish development, allowing greater room for customization, training, and potential co-production. In Malaysia's case, the infrastructure and training for the drones are being carried out in collaboration with local firm G7 Aerospace, enabling knowledge transfer and economic spillover benefits. Future upgrades, including weaponization (if Malaysia ever chooses that path), can be managed with full transparency and independence. So why Turkey and why now? The answer lies in both regional and global dynamics. ASEAN member states are becoming increasingly cautious in navigating the intensifying US-China rivalry. On one hand, the United States has urged allies and partners in Asia to increase defense spending and adopt its Indo-Pacific strategy, often with veiled suggestions of containment. On the other, China has expanded its military and coast guard presence in regional waters, testing the boundaries of maritime diplomacy. Yet Malaysia remains steadfastly neutral committed to peace, but not pacifism. The selection of Turkey is a clear signal that Malaysia can strengthen its defence posture without falling into the orbit of either superpower. The Anka‑S is not part of any military bloc or encirclement agenda. It is a tool of sovereign surveillance, rooted in international law and national interest. Türkiye also offers strategic reliability without overreach. It has forged strong defence ties with both NATO and non-NATO countries, including Pakistan, Qatar, and Indonesia. Its drones, including the Anka‑S and the famed Bayraktar TB2, have been combat-proven in multiple theatres—from Syria and Libya to Nagorno-Karabakh and Ukraine. While Malaysia is not adopting these UAVs for combat, the reliability and endurance of the Anka‑S speaks volumes about its maturity as a platform. Moreover, Türkiye is not just a defence provider—it is a geopolitical partner. Its increasing engagement with Southeast Asia through trade, cultural exchange, and religious diplomacy—particularly as a Muslim-majority nation—makes it a natural fit for deeper strategic relations with Malaysia and ASEAN. Its presence offers a third way for countries seeking alternatives to the binary of Washington and Beijing. In this context, Malaysia's decision to field the Anka‑S is not merely a technical or tactical decision. It is a quiet yet profound statement of national resolve. Malaysia seeks not to provoke, but to protect. Not to align blindly, but to cooperate wisely. We remain firm in our rights under UNCLOS, especially in defending our maritime zones—but we will continue to engage China, the United States, and all partners through dialogue and diplomacy. Let there be no misreading: Malaysia's vision of the South China Sea is not as a flashpoint of rival empires, but as a shared space requiring shared responsibility. With the Anka‑S circling above, Malaysia does not signal hostility—but capability. This is what sovereign agency looks like in the 21st century—eyes wide open, posture firm, diplomacy intact. Malaysia's approach to the South China Sea is neither naive nor aggressive. It is rooted in quiet strength, strategic foresight, and a refusal to be drawn into great power theatrics. By working with Turkey, a bridge between the Atlantic and Asia, Malaysia is building more than defense capacity—it is shaping a future where ASEAN nations assert their own narratives, on their own terms. Phar Kim Beng, PhD, is professor of ASEAN studies, International Islamic University Malaysia . Luthfy Hamzah is senior research fellow, Strategic Pan Indo Pacific Arena, Kuala Lumpur .
