China’s Xi urges people in Tibet to ‘follow party’ in rare visit

President’s visit comes as China faces increased security concerns due to clashes with India, US withdrawal from Kabul.

China’s President Xi Jinping made his first visit to the Tibet Autonomous Region as national leader this week and urged people there to “follow the party”, state news agency Xinhua said on Friday. Xi’s July 21-22 visit – the first to Tibet by a Chinese leader in 30 years – comes as the country faces increased security concerns as a result of clashes with India and the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan. The visit also shows the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s confidence in having established order and gained support in the region, analysts say.