Tibet: Updates and some Background

The latest from CTV, a Canadian broadcasting network, on the spread of the protests in Tibet:

— H.H. the Dalai Lama: “If things become out of control, then my only option is: completely resign, completely resign.”

— Reporter Steve Chao: “While [the Dalai Lama is] still revered, a new generation of Tibetans no longer believe that pacifism and nonviolence works. And so they fight for independence, threatening a gorilla-style war at whatever the cost.”

Indeed, a gorilla war. Men with long-sleeved coats on small horses and WWII era rifles against one of the most powerful militaries in the world. As John Knaus stated in the Heritage panel discussion (which I highly recommend), they were “sitting ducks” to a Chinese army in the 1960s, overwhelmed by both size and technology, and they would be again today. Most rural Tibetans are still living, for better or worse, in strictly pre-modern conditions.

It is also important to make clear to all, however, that the illusion of a peaceful kingdom in Tibet needs to be eradicated. Distorting reality with our romantic ideas does not help the Tibetans, the Chinese, or ourselves. Tibetans have always been a warring people, both internally and externally, even once conquering China. However, they did face extraordinary isolation under the rule of the succession of Dalai Lamas, beginning in roughly the mid-1600s under the 5th Dalai Lama. Attempts to modernize were carried out by the 13th Dalai Lama in the early part of the 2oth century, but incursions by the British from India in 1903-4 and the Chinese in 1910, along with internal conservative policies (worries of corrupting Tibetan culture by outside influences) prevented great headway.

It is claimed that the 13th D.L. died early, in 1933, on purpose so that his rebirth could be of age when the great turmoil he predicted would hit Tibet. Even still, the 14th D.L. was only 16 years of age in 1951 when Chinese troops began pouring into Tibet, and 24 when, as secular leader of the country, he went into exile in India.

Tibet has long played a key roll in international relations in Asia

1. as a key conduit of the silk road,
2. later as a central figure in the Great Game between Britain and Russia, and
3. finally in the emerging Cold War – US vs China – and territorial disputes with India.

With new found massive mineral wealth, the construction of an expensive railroad from Beijing, increasing Tourism, and the growing popularity of Tibetan Buddhism and the Dalai Lama, Tibet remains poised to continue its place as an international strategic hotpoint. The coming Olympics will serve to move the question of Tibet – and indeed China as a whole – out of small strategic discussions and into households across the developed world.

And for those who have yet to hear about it or see the actual video, here is actress/singer Bjork’s performance last week in Shanghi that drew the ire and reproach of the Chinese Government.

And lastly, for those still interested in what you can do to help the situation in Burma, follow this link to pressure China to join the international pressure on the military junta there.