Tibetans Face Harassment After Chinese Flag Burned at Zandan Monastery
Lobsang 
According to voice of Tibet In Suo County, Tibet, local Tibetans have faced strict scrutiny and harassment following the burning of a Chinese flag at the Zandan Monastery last month. According to Voice of Tibet on May 18, 2026, the incident included the appearance of a “Tibetan independence” slogan. Authorities responded by arresting the monk Gatun Zhaba and others, and began questioning local residents individually.
Sources report that the Zandan Monastery (ཙན་དན་དགོནན) in Suo County came under tight control after the incident. Officials strictly monitored visitors from other regions, carrying out detailed interrogations. The monastery, a central religious site, now faces restrictions on movement and gatherings.
This period coincides with the local cordyceps harvesting season, an important economic activity for Tibetan families. Authorities have stepped up checks on those collecting cordyceps, particularly focusing on potential political concerns. Traditionally, pastoral communities harvested cordyceps without heavy government interference, and sales required little to no permission. This year, however, officials have introduced stricter controls, with frequent questioning and monitoring of collectors.
The crackdown at Zandan Monastery is part of a broader pattern of arrests and detentions of Tibetan monks in the region. In recent years, monks such as Qu Yingkadan, Nan Jie Cicheng, and others have been summoned and detained for sharing messages critical of the Chinese government or distributing articles deemed “anti-government.” These measures extend beyond Zandan Monastery; monks from Zarma Monastery in Chiduo Township, Suo County, including Cangyang Gyatso, Tswang, Aci, and Jianzan, have also been taken into custody for unclear reasons.
The Chinese authorities maintain strict control over Suo County, making it difficult for outsiders to verify the situation or determine the exact reasons for these detentions. Families and local communities report that there is no transparent information on the whereabouts of the detained monks, creating fear and uncertainty among residents.
This wave of harassment and monitoring has disrupted both religious and economic activities in the region. Monks face uncertainty over their personal safety and religious practice, while the wider community experiences interference in traditional livelihoods, such as cordyceps collection. The increased surveillance and questioning highlight the authorities’ heightened focus on controlling both political expression and economic activity in Tibetan areas.
The burning of the Chinese flag at Zandan Monastery has therefore not only led to direct arrests but has also resulted in wider restrictions affecting the local Tibetan population. Religious leaders, ordinary residents, and seasonal workers face continuous scrutiny, illustrating the broader context of heightened control and suppression of dissent in Tibet.
About the Author
Jun Hao 
