Tibetan teenager sets himself on fire in China

A Tibetan teenager today committed self-immolation as China unveiled its once-in-a decade new leadership led by Xi Jinping to rule the country.

This is ninth suicide to have taken place since the week-long 18th Communist Party Congress started its session to elect it's new leader on November 8.

The incident took place in northwest China's Qinghai Province, state-run Xinhua news agency said.

Karpongya, 14, set himself on fire at about 12:10 pm in the Gartse township of Tongren county in the Huangnan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, just about the time when Xi accompanied by his six members the new Standing Committee members made their public appearance.

So far over 70 people committed suicide in Tibetan areas protesting Chinese rule and calling for return of Dalai Lama.

Though Chinese officials routinely blame Dalai Lama and the Tibetan separatist forces for the self immolations, the situation continues to be tense with demonstrations and protests despite deployment of heavy security forces.

In his recent interviews, Dalai Lama has expressed hope that Xi, whose father he knew, would adopt a more reconciliatory approach towards Tibet issue and step up dialogue process.

The dialogue between Dalai Lama and Chinese government has not progressed even after the Tibetan spiritual leader accepted Tibet as part of China.

Chinese officials however say that his demand for integration of all Tibetan areas with broad autonomy barring foreign and defence subjects is not acceptable.

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