Ngaba, July 31 -- Chinese authorities have arbitrarily detained two young Tibetan men, Tsukte (popularly known as Asang) and Pelkyong, for performing a cover of a song in honor of the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday, in yet another instance of cultural suppression in occupied Tibet, according to the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD).

Asang and Pelkyong, both from Adue Village in Ngaba (Ch: Aba) County, Sichuan Province, were picked up by security forces in early July 2025, shortly after uploading a cover version of the song Prince of Peace to the Chinese social media platform Kuaishou.

The song, originally released in 2006 by Tibetan singer Sherten with lyrics by Arig Choten Thar, praises the Dalai Lama's life and legacy,...