Free China

NEWS + EDITORIAL | September 5, 2026 | P5-EVT-2026-0904-12

What is reported

Radio Free Asia reports that satellite imagery shows renewed and expanded demolition of residences at Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Serthar County, Sichuan, during July and August 2026. Rights groups and Tibetan sources describe continuing clearance and pressure on residents.

What remains unverified

Free China’s review has not located a current public demolition, land-use or planning order that independently establishes the reported demolition scope, resident totals or official rationale. Public local-government records reviewed include infrastructure, hazard-control and administrative projects at or near Larung Gar, but these do not by themselves prove the reported residential-clearance program.

Why it matters

Larung Gar is one of the world’s most important centers of Tibetan Buddhist learning. Repeated demolition, population-control and surveillance allegations raise serious questions about religious freedom, cultural preservation, property rights and transparent local governance.

Free China Editorial

Any demolition or relocation affecting a major religious community should be governed by a public legal decision, disclosed planning basis, meaningful notice, compensation and appeal rights. Authorities should publish the applicable orders and data. Until those records are available, reported demolition scope and motive should remain explicitly attributed rather than stated as independently established fact.

Source: Radio Free Asia, August 18, 2026.