MARCH ON TIBET

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26186, 9 August 1950, Page 7

MARCH ON TIBET

Chinese Move Reported (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1.30 a.m.) HONG KONG, August 8. Chinese Communist forces have begun advancing towards the borders of Tibet from two directions, according to unconfirmed Chinese reports reaching Hong Kong. These reports say that one column is moving westward through the mountainous Sinkiang province, while the other is pressing southward from Sining, canital of Chinghai province. The reports say the objective of both columns is Jyekundo. near the Tibetan border, in south-west Chinghai. Jyekundo is known as the Gateway to Tibet and is 400 miles from Lhasa, the capital. The Communists established a small headquarters at Jyekundo last year, after the occupation of Chinghai Province. The column in Sinkiang is said to be of at least 20,000 men. They are under the famous General Liu Po-

chen. who last week announced in Chungking that the Chinese Communists intended marching on Tibet at an early date. His forces included many Tibetans formerly commanded by General Liu Wen-hui, Nationalist Governor of Sinkiang, who transferred his allegiance to the Communists. The second force is said to total 40.000 men under General Peng Tehhuai. commander of the Chinese Ist Field Army. The reports say they are following a route over the north-east plains of Chinghai and round the foothills of the high Amnemachin mountains.