Tibetan Real-Name Complainant Detained by Chinese Authorities for Exposing Illegal Mining in Tibet
Tsongon Tsering, a 29-year-old Tibetan from Tsaruma village in Kakhog (Ch: Hongyuan) County, Ngaba (Ch: Aba) Prefecture, Sichuan Province, was detained earlier this week after he posted a video registering a complaint about large-scale sand and gravel mining along the river in Tsaruma village, which is the source of Asia’s two largest rivers, the Yangtze and the Yellow River.
On 14 October, Tsering posted a five-minute video openly filing a “real-name complaint” to draw attention to the mining operations conducted by Anhui Xianhe Construction Engineering Company, allegedly under the guise of road construction work. His approach, filming himself holding his ID card while describing the violations, follows a well-known method in China for reporting abuses by officials or companies suspected of corruption, bribery, dereliction of duty, and abuse of authority.
Tsering was initially called to the county office along with his family members and villagers after his video went viral. He was permitted to return home briefly before being summoned again and subsequently detained. Sources indicate he is now being held in Kyungchu County prison.
Illegal Mining Operations in Tsaruma Village
Beginning in May 2023, Anhui Xianhe Construction Engineering Company started illegal sand and gravel mining operations along the river in Tsaruma village under the pretext of road construction severely damaging the local ecosystem, polluting nearby waterways and increasing the risk to homes near the river.
A group of villagers filed complaints with the Tsaruma Township, Kakhog County Discipline Inspection Commission, Kakhog County Environmental Protection Bureau, Kakhog County Water Affairs Bureau, Ngaba Prefecture Water Affairs Bureau, Ngaba Prefecture Environmental Protection Department, and other relevant departments regarding environmental destruction, soil erosion, and risks to local homes.
Despite submitting photographs and videos documenting the damage done to the local area, none of the relevant offices took any action or responded. However, because the online video exposing the mining was widely circulated on Chinese social media, the Ecological Environment Bureau of Kakhog County was compelled to respond, stating they would look into the matter.
Although Tsering and several other Tibetans involved in repeated petitions and appeals were called to the Tsaruma village office and county government offices for “purported” discussions, there has been no resolution to the mining issue in the area.
Tsongon Tsering states in the video that environmental protection policies have existed for many years; however, there are still issues with policy implementation. Although the written response from the Ecological Environment Bureau of Kakhog County in April 2024 acknowledged that Anhui Xianhe Construction Engineering Company (安徽先河建筑工程有限公司) had indeed conducted illegal sand mining operations, claiming that the company had been fined, it is evident that such measures were merely an attempt to quickly close the case and cover up the company’s illegal mining activities.
TCHRD calls on the Chinese authorities to immediately halt rampant and illegal mining activities that have had harmful and disastrous consequences for Tibetan livelihoods, food security, and the natural environment. In particular, Chinese authorities must launch a thorough investigation into the issues raised by Tsering and guarantee his physical and psychological well-being. Authorities must hold the company accountable for its environmental violations, ensuring that any fines or penalties are not merely used to dismiss or obscure the issue quickly but instead lead to a substantive resolution.
The appeals made by the residents of Tsaruma, accompanied by compelling and irrefutable evidence, warrant urgent attention. Relevant authorities must respond swiftly and meaningfully to these complaints, ensuring the preservation of the local ecosystem and safeguarding villagers’ homes from further harm.
