Cheogyal Dawa, a 25-year-old Tibetan man, has fled his homeland and is now speaking out about the erosion of his culture under Chinese rule. He shared his story with CNN, describing the difficulties he faced in pursuing an education in Tibetan language and culture.

Education and Culture

Cheogyal said that when he was in school, he was able to study Tibetan history, language, and culture, but that has changed in recent years. His elementary school was taken over by the state in 2021, and his secondary school was shuttered in 2024. Now, children from his home county attend government primary schools, where Tibetan is taught as a single subject course.

Cheogyal’s story is a rare first-hand account of coming of age in the Tibetan region at a time when the area has been transformed by policies under Chinese leader Xi Jinping. China has codified its drive to “Sinicize” religion and has mounted what critics say are intensified efforts to suppress dissent and tighten control of China’s ethnic minorities, particularly in Tibet and the neighboring Xinjiang.

Freedom and Safety

Cheogyal’s journey to freedom was not easy. He first tried to escape China in 2008, when he was just 8 years old, but was caught by Chinese border patrol and held in detention for roughly a month. He was eventually released and returned home, but he never gave up on his dream of freedom. This year, he finally made it out of China and is now living in India.

Cheogyal’s story highlights the struggles faced by Tibetans living under Chinese rule. The Chinese government has been accused of eroding Tibetan culture and suppressing dissent, and many Tibetans have fled their homeland in search of freedom and safety.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.