“The police love the people. The people love the police. Increase the love between the people and the police to build a harmonious society” read a billboard in Tibet.
Unlike the other cities we visited, the police were evident everywhere in the Autonomous Region of Tibet. The increased police presence was attributed to the protests that occurred in Tibet in 2008. They watched the pilgrims. They stood guard in the temple. They marched down the sidewalks and stood watch on street corners. They do not allow pictures and their solemn faces made a stark contrast to the easy grins of the Tibetans. After our bus waited patiently for a convoy of more than 20 military lorries to pass and then being flipped off by a soldier, I can understand why Tibetans are not loving the police. Although it is not as obvious in other parts of China, President Hu’s goal of a social harmony is being built upon stifling any thing that does not fit his catchphrase.
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