One year after March 14 riot - Tibetans want stable lives

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But it's easy to remember how quickly their hard work can be destroyed. Look closely, and you’ll see that a section  of the Yaxiong Wine and Grocery store’s outer wall remains  charred.(CCTV.com)

But it's easy to remember how quickly their hard work can be destroyed. Look closely, and you’ll see that a section of the Yaxiong Wine and Grocery store’s outer wall remains charred. For owner Chen Xiaoqiong, it’s a reminder of the looting exactly a year ago, when she and seven of her assistants narrowly escaped falling into the hands of rioters. One of the shop's Tibetan assistants defended them from the rioters, and was beaten up for (his/her) bravery.

For owner Chen Xiaoqiong, it’s a reminder of the looting  exactly a year ago, when she and seven of her assistants  narrowly escaped falling into the hands of rioters. (CCTV.com)

Chen now makes only a fraction of what she pulled in before the riots, but her shop has remained in business since reopening four months after the violence. Shops like hers have received tax exemptions for two years, and can get government loans of up to 1 million yuan with zero interest.

Chen Xiaoqiong, Shop owner, said, "Although my business is sluggish right now, I believe it will make a turn for the better with stability, and when the overall economic situation turns better. Given enough time, I’m confident I will earn as much as I did before the riots."