Editor's note: Liu Huan, a special commentator for CGTN, is an assistant research fellow at the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Recently, some overseas media outlets have used artificial intelligence (AI) technology to fabricate videos falsely claiming that China has demolished temples in its Xizang Autonomous Region. Accompanied by misleading captions, these videos allege that the number of temples in Xizang has declined from over 2,500 in the 1950s to only 70 today.

The real purpose behind such claims is to exploit Tibetan Buddhism as a political tool, create the false impression that religious freedom in Xizang is under suppression and spread misleading narratives about human rights in the region. By doing so, they seek to discredit China's policies on Xizang and distort international perceptions of the region.

Facts, however, tell a very different story. Xizang has witnessed remarkable progress across economic, social, cultural and religious sectors, especially since 2012. In 2025, the region's gross domestic product reached nearly 303.2 billion yuan ($44.79 billion), representing a year-on-year increase of 7% and marking a new milestone in economic development.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the average annual income growth rate of rural residents reached 9.7%, exceeding the national average by 2.3 percentage points. At the same time, public services have continued to improve. Xizang has implemented a nationwide-leading system of 15 years of publicly funded education, allowing students of all ethnic groups to receive free schooling from kindergarten through high school while benefiting from various subsidies.

Infrastructure construction has accelerated, with major projects such as the Sichuan-Xizang Railway making steady progress. Employment opportunities, healthcare services and pension systems have also been strengthened, contributing to a growing sense of fulfillment and well-being among local residents.

The achievements made in the religious sphere are particularly noteworthy and serve as an important reflection of the region's broader progress in protecting human rights and promoting social development.

First and foremost, a comprehensive legal framework has been established to safeguard freedom of religious belief. China's Constitution explicitly guarantees citizens' right to religious freedom. In January 2025, the revised Measures on the Management of Tibetan Buddhist Temples officially came into effect, complementing existing legislation such as the Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy and the Measures of the Xizang Autonomous Region on Implementing the Regulations on Religious Affairs. Together, these laws provide institutional protection for monks, nuns, believers and religious venues.

Today, Xizang is home to more than 1,700 registered Tibetan Buddhist sites and approximately 46,000 monks and nuns. Religious and cultural events, including the Shoton Festival and the Saga Dawa Festival, are held every year in accordance with the law. Traditional religious practices, such as scriptural studies, Buddhist debates, monastic examinations and daily worship, continue uninterrupted. Ordinary believers are free to maintain household shrines, recite scriptures and engage in religious activities without interference.

Moreover, the government allocates special funding each year to ensure that monks and nuns have access to medical insurance, pension coverage, subsistence allowances and accident insurance. Those over the age of 60 receive monthly pension payments. Such measures provide practical support for religious practitioners and allow them to focus on their spiritual pursuits without concerns about basic living conditions.

Against this backdrop, claims that Xizang has only "70 temples remaining" or that religion is being systematically suppressed are not only inaccurate but entirely groundless.

In addition to protecting religious freedom, China has made sustained efforts to preserve Xizang's rich cultural and religious heritage. Since the 1980s, the central government has invested substantial resources in the restoration and conservation of many historic monasteries and cultural relics, including the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sakya Monastery and Pelkor Chode Monastery. These projects have significantly improved the preservation conditions of important religious sites.

The protection of classical Tibetan scriptures has also received strong support. More than 40 million yuan has been invested in the comparative editing and publication of the Kangyur and Tengyur collections, a project that involved hundreds of scholars and took more than two decades to complete. Major cultural initiatives, such as the Complete Collection of Chinese Classics: Tibetan Volume, have resulted in the publication of 201 volumes of collected works by prominent Tibetan Buddhist scholars and historical figures. According to existing plans, more than 80 additional collections comprising over 1,000 volumes will be compiled and published before 2028.

These long-term investments clearly demonstrate China's commitment to preserving Tibetan Buddhist culture and ensuring the continuity of Xizang's unique religious and cultural traditions.

Equally important is the fact that multiple religions coexist peacefully and develop on an equal footing in Xizang. Apart from Tibetan Buddhist sites, the region is home to four mosques and one Catholic church, serving approximately 12,000 native Muslims and more than 700 believers of Catholicism. All religious venues operate in accordance with the law and independently manage their religious affairs.

Every year, Xizang hosts more than 1,700 religious and cultural activities, including celebrations associated with Tibetan Buddhism as well as Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. In Lhasa alone, religious sites receive millions of visitors annually. People of different ethnic backgrounds and faiths interact regularly, exchange greetings during festivals and maintain mutual respect in their daily lives. There is no evidence of religious discrimination or exclusion. Instead, Xizang has cultivated a harmonious and inclusive religious environment in which diverse beliefs coexist peacefully.

It is important to recognize that while AI has created new opportunities for creativity and communication, it has also lowered the barriers to producing and disseminating false information. Fabricated videos and manipulated images can easily attract attention online, but facts remain more powerful. No amount of fabricated imagery can obscure the genuine achievements Xizang has made in development, human rights protection and religious freedom. As more people look beyond sensationalized narratives and examine the evidence objectively, such falsehoods will inevitably collapse under the weight of reality.

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