The Chinese Communist Party's repression of its Tibetan minority now extends, apparently, to travel. Few Tibetans have been issued passports since last spring. Beijing has yet to comment officially about this issue, but its approach to Tibet has stiffened since cracking down on anti-government protests in the territory in 2008.
Robert Barnett is a writer and researcher on nationality issues in China, focusing on modern history, politics, and culture in Tibet. His publications include studies of Chinese policies in Tibet,...