© 2008 Eric Margolis

Archives > March 24, 2008

HOW TO RESOLVE THE TIBET CRISIS


The current Tibetan rebellion against Chinese rule has captured world attention and sympathy. Protests from Katmandu to New York have ensured it stays on TV screens almost everywhere – except China, of course.

China’s government, which has been preparing a massive, carefully orchestrated Olympic summer extravaganza in Beijing, has been deeply embarrassed and lost a great deal of face. The latest Tibetan `intifada’ erupted just after China’s party congress was celebrating the nation’s economic upsurge and orderly development.

Who is right about Tibet? Beijing claims Tibet has always been and remains an integral part of China. The Dalai Lama, insists Beijing, is a dangerous `splittist’ fomenting rebellion with Western help. Chinese civilians have been attacked by Tibetan mobs, says Beijing.

The Dalai Lama, his followers, and international supporters assert China is conducting `cultural genocide’ in Tibet by bringing in settlers and drowning its ancient Buddhist traditions in a flood of Han Chinese newcomers.

Is Tibet historically part of China, as Beijing claims? Yes and no. The thirteenth century Mongol emperors adopted Tibetan Buddhism as their new state religion and hailed the Dalai Lama as their `teacher’ and spiritual guide. When the Ming Dynasty took power in China around 1370, it adopted and continued this `priest-ruler’ relationship.


Tibet’s Buddhist theocracy recognized the ultimate political mastery of China’s emperor, while he recognized the spiritual primacy of the Dalai Lama in Lhasa and Tibet’s total autonomy. Lhasa became the Vatican for the Mongol Empire and China’s Ming Empire.

In 1913, while China was in chaos, Tibet, backed by the British Empire, declared independence. War-torn China had no chance to reassert its claim to Tibet until the end of the civil war in May, 1950. Four months later, China’s People’s Army invaded Tibet and declared it `reunited’ to China. Many Tibetans, particularly the warlike Champa, resisted furiously. A year earlier, Chinese troops had invaded and crushed the independent, four-year old Muslim Republic of East Turkistan - today called Xinjiang - whose Turkic-Mongol Uighurs, long fought Chinese rule and Han Chinese immigration.

The world laments for the Tibetan cause, but utterly ignores the unfashionable cause of Tibet’s northern neighbors, the Uighurs. After 2001, the Bush Administration even branded Muslim Uighur resistance movements `terrorists.’

How many Tibetans are there? China has obscured census figures. When I met with the Dalai Lama, who inspired my book, `War at the Top of the World’ - which is in part about Tibet - he told me there were over seven million Tibetans. About three million are in Tibet proper, and the rest in the neighboring Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai, to which protests have spread. The last two Chinese provinces used to form part of historical Tibet.

A primary cause of the Tibetan `intifada’ is continuing settlement by Han Chinese. After what I call `ethnic inundation,’ ethnic Chinese settlers now outnumber Tibetans. The same process of inundation occurred in Inner Mongolia, whose people are ethnically close to Tibetans.

But we should be aware that China has also uplifted Tibet from frightful poverty and medieval superstition, brought education, hospitals, electricity, roads, and ended widespread serfdom. Last year, a remarkable new high altitude rail line linked Lhasa to Beijing.

When I last visited Tibet in 1993, people came up and begged me with tears in their eyes for a photo of their beloved exiled Dalai Lama. I saw anti-Chinese demonstrations in Lhasa, and regiments of Chinese paramilitary police and soldiers. Resistance has simmered for decades. Now, the pot has boiled over.

So far, China, keenly aware of the upcoming Olympics and its world image, has been fairly restrained so far in suppressing the uprising. As of this writing, the uprising appears to be abating. But if it flares anew and gets out of hand, China will use much more force.

Another danger: China’s giant rival, India, would dearly like to drive China from the strategic Tibetan Plateau, which looms over northern India. China has built a score of air and missile bases in Tibet that deeply alarm India. Growing unrest could tempt India to back Tibetan resistance. In the late 1940’s, India also had its eye on Tibet but lacked the military power to take action. But it seems likely that had not China annexed Tibet, it would have become an Indian protectorate, like those other forgotten Himalayan kingdoms, Bhutan, Sikkim and Ladakh( known as `little Tibet’).

Any Indian or American move to destabilize Chinese rule over Tibet would be met with a fierce response from Beijing, which considers the Tibetan plateau its most militarily sensitive region after the coastal stretch of territory opposite Taiwan and the Beijing military region.

So what can the world do? Some EU members urge boycotting the Olympic opening ceremonies. Similar calls are coming from North America. Others demand outright trade sanctions.

Such overt action won’t work. China will never voluntarily relinquish control of Tibet. No one is going to tell China what to do. A face-saving compromise needs to be found for this confrontation.

The best solution is the one proposed by the Dalai Lama: Beijing restores the old `priest-ruler’ relationship. Tibet recognizes China’s political mastery and military presence, China accepts Tibet’s genuine internal autonomy, ceases Han immigration, and allows the Dalai Lama to return.

As globalization plays an ever larger role in China’s economy, its positive image abroad is extremely important. Stomping on Tibet is counter-productive. Beijing should respond with patience, and accord the Dalai Lama, a fierce pacifist and great soul, the same reverence and respect as did the Mongol and Ming emperors.


copyright Eric S. Margolis 2008








Posted by Eric Margolis on March 24, 2008 01:33 PM
Comments:

Let us be clear, with the US’s illegal invasion of Iraq the precedent has been set for countries like China to do like wise. The US is in position to preach to other world powers.

Perhaps would be President John McCain can draw a link between Iran training the Chinese in its terroist training camps. The same camps that they are training Al Qaida.

Posted by Frank at March 24, 2008 03:15 PM

Hi Eric, I agree with you overall. I hope that there are more investigative journalists like you who really knows the world history better and reports/comments in a fair, balanced and responsible way.

I agree that Tibet can have more autonomy in the Chinese federation. However, 1) the principle of separating religion and politics has to be uphold. Dalai Lama can be head of the Lamaism but not political head. No going back to pre-50’s theocracy. 2) all Chinese citizens can freely move to whereever they like in the Chinese country. Tibetans can move to the rest of the country; other Chinese (not just Han) can move to Tibetan, too. Freedom of movement is a basic human rights.

Posted by ColinLeesburg at March 24, 2008 03:18 PM

Uncle Frank

As bad a precedent as we may be setting as the world’s new global imperial power, the Chinese, and many others, are ancient civilizations with long traditions. Some of those traditions are less savory than others, but I think the Chinese would consider it the greatest of insults if one were to insinuate that they learned how to extinguish indigenous cultures historically within their borders from the Americans. Unifying dynasties and stamping out political diversity is a very long Chinese tradition; they hardly need to learn how to do it from us, though one might say that their approach to it was more temperate than our own “Manifest Destiny.”

Posted by chatman at March 25, 2008 03:52 AM

“Ethnic inundation” You have coined an interesting term Mr. Margolis. It is also interesting that you link it to a planned policy of cultural genocide. This same tactic is currently being used against the West, specifically Europe which faces an Islamic majority within 50 years.

http://www.heretical.com/miscellx/culturec.html

Posted by Blueskies at March 25, 2008 03:56 AM

To Blueskies:

Your suggestion that Muslims are engaged in a deliberate tactic of ethnic inundation against Europe would be laugable if you did not appear to be so serious.

There is NO evidence to suggest that Muslims are engaged in any such activities, unlike the very real policies persued by the PRC in regards to shifting the demographics in Tibet and East Turkestan.

I challenge to provide any proof whatsoever to support your allegations.

Hilarious!

Posted by The Red Prince at March 25, 2008 10:00 PM

To Red Prince as requested:

http://www.freedomszone.com/archives/2007/04/muslim_speaker_tells_of_islams.php

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=C5067035-DF55-478F-AF89-5F46195482D8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BugIu_QsvlQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peFQWuk4nuo&eurl=http://www.islamismad.com/

http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/23784

http://www.gwias.com/globe/archive/000072.html

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=50020

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/26/international/europe/26EURO.html?ex=1206676800&en=f27bf295590816f0&ei=5070

http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110007760

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnJcsQYZEGU&feature=related

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1167467834546

http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/355

Posted by Blueskies at March 26, 2008 04:42 AM

I had to join just to comment on this one thread
Blueskies you provide a lot of links that don’t provide a shred of proof for ethnic inundation by Muslims, which is what was requested.
So if there’s a conspiracy I guess the Government in on it because of their immigration policy and further more the actual citizens are in on it and are refusing to have children to prop up that immigration policy
Laughable was the remark..perfect

Posted by Gruesome at March 26, 2008 09:31 AM

Dear Eric Margolis,
I respect you that you have the rights to suggest Chinese how to resolve the tibet Crisis.
But I have another good idea for your reference, you and your white neighbours must return to Europe, the american belong to the Indians.
Do you feel shame that your ancestor invaded the Indians’ land , killed most of them, occupied their hometown,restricted their living area? Why the USA invade the Iraq? For freedom? Does Hawii belong to the USA before 200 years?
All of you are really hypocrisy. Have you forgotten how your country invaded China from 1840 to 1949?
I noted you visited Tibet in the past years, you also met with Dalai Lama. I wonder whether you visit other area like Shanghai, Canton? I don’t want to show you our biggest city to you. I just wonder why you are so interested in Tibet and Xinjiang. All of the Chinese are working hard to develop the economy, no one care the Tibet Crisis. But I must told you a truth, there are more than 300 Tibet students study in our city, we supply free accommodation and course to them, want them to construct a new tibet after they graduated. I also visit Lasha, the city is so beautiful and peaceful,I cannot see the crisis what you mean. The tibetan’s life is so good, they can have many children,but we Han Chinese can only have 1. Tebitan no need tax to the country, the country invest large funds to costruct Tibet.
The crisis happened suddenly , it’s under the control of Dalai Lama. We don’t believe the Tibetan want to rebel and be independent from China,most of the Tibetan are very kind,only a handful of Separatists.
Frankly, I don’t like your report, because you wear a pair of colorful glasses.
I hope you can visit China more frequently,visit more Chinese people, not only Han Chinese, but other minorities.
Then, pls take back what you said and report the lasted news!
All of the Chinese will appreciate what you do in the future if you are listening to me.
Best regards!
———————
Wayne Ding
2008-03-27

Posted by Wayne Ding at March 27, 2008 02:47 AM

Thanks Wayne for an informed inside opinion.

It is amazing how we North Americans conveniently forget that the lands we live on were taken by force from people we tried our best to exterminate.

People proposing a boycott of the Beijing Olympics are misguided. I guess every two years (Winter then Summer Olympics) the world could beat-up on the hosting country until they obey the mob. Here in Vancouver we’ll be hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics. Will the world boycott our olympics unless we grant Quebec independence? Or until we treat our natives with respect?

All that’s needed is a handful of separatist troublemakers to get media attention. People love to jump on wagons of condemnation, it’s so much easier than having to think.

ECanuck

Posted by ECanuck at March 27, 2008 04:41 PM

Please take a look at this if you don’t know:

http://www.iivs.de/~iivs01311/EN/front.html

Posted by ColinLeesburg at March 28, 2008 12:38 PM

Please Red Prince know your facts.
The Chinese never control the economies of these countries Indonesia & Malaysia.
The British prior to 13th. May 1969 control the economy through their Pte. Ltd. companies. The Dutch & Britishers control all the oil fields & rubber estates. They control 70% of the economies & all its natural resources.
Retail business that was done by the Han Chinese is basically a mum & pop store. Every sons & daugthers chip in the long hours.

Posted by Henry at March 30, 2008 07:00 AM

At least you are honest with this statement that Tibet would be an Indian Protectorate if P.R.C. had not regain back Tibet.
Look at Sikkim, Nagaland & other states, the Indians are moving in there as well. I believe that there is an intercine guerilla warfar there as well, why don’t there Westerners & Western press give prominence to these as well.
If you people who watch the television, you will notice that the Tibetan rioters seems to be very well warmly dress.
If anything the Han Chinese are too good to the minority peoples of their country.

Posted by Henry at March 30, 2008 07:16 AM

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