Monasteries across the region have begun a program to implement mandatory classes on Chinese law and to improve the living conditions of monks. (Photo : Reuters)
The Chinese government has asked all local temples in Tibet to fly and display China’s national flag as reiterated by Chen Quanguo, the Party chief of Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on April 8, Wednesday, as part of the effort to maintain stability in the region.
According to the article written by the Tibetan Party chief and published in the People's Daily, all temples will have the national flag and will continue to receive amenities such communication services, newspapers, book stores, water and electrical supply and television broadcasts.
According to the article, local governments are asked to continue the improvement of public services and facilities in Tibet.
Registered monks and nuns at all monasteries were also offered pension and medical insurance policies as well as free health check-ups, Chen said in his article.
The regional government will also launch a legal education campaign at all temples, the article said.
The Global Times reported that some analysts view the efforts to fly the national flag and improve the clergies' livelihood, as ways to strengthen the sense of sovereignty and combat separatism.
Based on a local guideline in 2011, temples must be equipped with nine items which include national flags, four national leaders' portraits, newspapers and televisions. The region's finance department provides all the funds, the report added.
The Global Times said that a total of 1,879 Tibet monks and nuns who are more than 60 years old have started receiving a basic pension fund of 120 yuan ($19.3) per month in 2012, while others were given the choice to pay from 100 yuan to 3,000 yuan per year for at least 15 years and they can get basic pensions ranging from 134 to 452 yuan a month after they turn 60.
The report said that a monk can pay 60 yuan a year for his medical insurance and the government provides a subsidy of 220 yuan.
