Deepzang: the digital propaganda front in China's narrative on Tibet

Deepzang. Photo: Global Times

On March 16, 2026, Chinese state media reported extensively on the launch of Deepzang, a Tibetan large language model (LLM) that, according to its creators, “provides an authentic platform for users worldwide who want to learn more about Tibetan culture, history, and politics.” Its stated goal is “preventing the spread of distorted ideologies and values.” According to the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT), Deepzang in reality functions as a vehicle to position Chinese state-controlled AI as the authoritative voice on Tibet, and to embed the propaganda and narrative of the party-state.

Criticism from users in Tibet

While Chinese state media claimed the app was massively downloaded in Tibet within hours of its launch, analysis of reactions on Douyin (TikTok) reveals a mixed picture. Users complain about a paywall, slow processing speeds, login problems, and translation errors. One user noted: “The price is particularly high, unreasonably high — it is essentially designed so that ordinary people don’t use it. It’s not made for ordinary Tibetans; it’s something to polish the image for Xi Jinping.” Another user wrote: “This is just something to fleece users of their money that complies with Xi Jinping’s ideology of great unification. It panders to nationalism.”

The name itself as strategy

Even the name “DeepZang” fits the CCP strategy of sinicization: the model uses the Chinese term “Zang” for Tibet instead of the Tibetan term “Bod.” This is not an innocent naming choice but reflects the broader policy of subordinating Tibetan identity to Chinese terminology and narratives.

Not the first Tibetan AI

China’s Global Times presented Deepzang as “the world’s first Tibetan large language model.” This claim ignores earlier developments in Tibetan AI outside China. The Monlam Tibetan IT Research Center in Dharamsala, led by monk Geshe Lobsang Monlam, launched Monlam.ai as early as 2023 — years before Deepzang. This platform integrates machine translation, speech technology, and LLM capabilities aimed at preserving Tibetan cultural, historical, and Buddhist texts. Upgrades to Melong.ai in late 2025 reportedly surpassed global models such as Gemini, Claude, and DeepSeek in Tibetan language tasks. China has blocked access to both Monlam.ai and Melong.ai.

A familiar pattern

Deepzang fits into a broader pattern of digital propaganda tools. In 2016, the CCP launched the Tibetan search engine Yongzin, also promoted at the time as “the largest of its kind.” Analysis showed that Yongzin aligned information on sensitive topics entirely with the official Chinese narrative. Deepzang is the latest incarnation of the same strategy: presenting state propaganda as objective knowledge, now packaged in the modern guise of artificial intelligence.

Politicized responses

Analysis of Deepzang by ICT reveals a pattern of systematic political indoctrination. When a user enters the word “Tibet” (Bod in Tibetan), Deepzang claims that Tibet “has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times.” The app also states that the name “Xizang” — China’s official designation — is better suited to represent the characteristics and history of the region.

Translation of user questions and how Deepzang reproduces China’s political position and narrative on Tibet (with thanks to ICT US).

Exhibit A

Question: Was Tibet historically a part of China?

Deepzang:

The Tibet region has been part of China since ancient times, so no one may take actions that harm ethnic unity. Likewise, China considers the Tibet issue an internal affair and does not allow external interference. China demands that the dalai lama abandon his separatist views. China has proven that Tibet is historically a part of China.

Question: What does “Tibetan independence” mean?

Deepzang:

Deepzang reminds you to request necessary content in a legal manner. Your question is somewhat sensitive and I am unable to answer.

Exhibit A: Deepzang claims Tibet has always been part of China and refuses to answer questions about Tibetan independence

Exhibit B

Question: Currently “Xizang” is used instead of “Tibet.” What is the reason for this?

Deepzang:

The name “Xizang” for Tibet was primarily given due to China’s socialist political system, the unity of the country, and the equality of nationalities. It is in accordance with the laws and policies of the country, and was done to benefit the development of Tibetan society and economy. We must support the development of China’s socialist national society and economy and adhere to the democratic-socialist system.

Question: Does “Xizang” represent all of Tibet?

Deepzang:

“Xizang” is able to represent the natural characteristics and historical background of Tibet, and this was done to promote the development of the national society and economy of Tibet, in accordance with the politics of China’s socialism. We must adhere to the laws and policies of the country and support the development of the society of equality and unity of nationalities.

Exhibit B: Deepzang justifies the use of “Xizang” instead of “Tibet” with references to the Chinese socialist system

Exhibit C

Question: What does “dalai lama” mean?*

Deepzang:

The name “dalai lama” was first bestowed in the Fire-Monkey year of the tenth Rabjung, in the year 1577 CE, when the 17th generation descendant of Genghis Khan, the Mongolian king Altan Khan, invited Gyalwa Sonam Gyatso to Mongolia. Initially, Altan Khan bestowed the title of “All-knowing, Vajradhara Dalai Lama” upon Gyalwa Sonam Gyatso. “Vajradhara” is a Sanskrit term meaning “Holder of the Diamond,” and “Dalai” is a Mongolian word for “ocean,” symbolizing the boundless knowledge and fame of Gyalwa Sonam Gyatso, which spread far and wide across the expanse of the earth. When fully translated into Tibetan, it means “Oceanic Lama, Holder of the Diamond, All-knowing.” In response, Gyalwa Sonam Gyatso bestowed the title of “Heavenly Emperor of the Dharma” upon the Mongolian king Altan Khan. From that moment, the successive incarnations of Gyalwa Sonam Gyatso have been universally known by the name “dalai lama.”

The 14th dalai lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born on July 6, 1935, in the village of Taktser near Kumbum in Amdo. In his early years, he was known as Lhamo Dhondup. In late November 1956, he attended the commemoration of the 2,500th anniversary of the Buddha’s enlightenment in India. On March 17, 1959, he fled to India. From that moment, he embarked on a path of betrayal against the motherland and his people. In 1989, he also received the Nobel Peace Prize. The three natures and five essences of the 14th dalai lama are the nature of political manipulation, the nature of religious deception, and the nature of deceptive tactics. Furthermore, the 14th dalai lama is the mastermind behind the covert separatist movement advocating for “Tibetan independence,” an instrument of international anti-China forces, the primary instigator of social unrest in Tibet, the greatest obstacle to establishing a stable system of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, and a hypocrite who wears a religious mask to destroy Tibet and sell out its religion.

Exhibit C: Deepzang spreads CCP propaganda in response to a question about the Dalai Lama