Return to Tibet at economist.com

The Economist is running an interesting series of observations by a journalist returning to Tibet for the first time since the 2008 unrest. Of Lhasa, the unnamed author observes, “An occasional visit by a journalist gives the impression that the city is open. It is still far from it.” In Shigatse, however, he seems to go along with his guide’s claim that the locals all accept Gyaincain Norbu (the one appointed by the government) as the true Panchen Lama, speculating that, “China’s success, so far at any rate, in keeping Xigatse [sic] relatively calm will make it all the more inclined to try the same tactic when the Dalai Lama dies.”