Tibet Flashcards
What are the 12 most prominent points from “Tibet” by Robert Barnett ?
- Tibet’s geopolitical and strategic importance in China cannot be understated. Despite being a relatively small population within China, Tibet covers a vast area equivalent to Western Europe minus Scandinavia. Additionally, it holds the headwaters of many major rivers that are crucial for the water supply of multiple Asian countries.
- The historical and ongoing relationship between Tibet and China has been characterized by the giving and receiving of “gifts” from the Chinese government. These gifts represent various policies and changes, from land distribution to economic reforms, aimed at influencing and maintaining stability in Tibet.
- Tibetans have a significant political role within China, despite their relatively small population. The Tibetan Plateau represents a substantial portion of China’s territory, and Tibetans have a history of resistance to Chinese rule. This has made Tibet a crucial issue for the Chinese government, reflected in the fact that recognizing China’s sovereignty over Tibet is a prerequisite for establishing diplomatic relations with China.
- Tibet’s geopolitical and strategic importance in China cannot be understated. Despite being a relatively small population within China, Tibet covers a vast area equivalent to Western Europe minus Scandinavia. Additionally, it holds the headwaters of many major rivers that are crucial for the water supply of multiple Asian countries.
- The historical and ongoing relationship between Tibet and China has been characterized by the giving and receiving of “gifts” from the Chinese government. These gifts represent various policies and changes, from land distribution to economic reforms, aimed at influencing and maintaining stability in Tibet.
- Tibetans have a significant political role within China, despite their relatively small population. The Tibetan Plateau represents a substantial portion of China’s territory, and Tibetans have a history of resistance to Chinese rule. This has made Tibet a crucial issue for the Chinese government, reflected in the fact that recognizing China’s sovereignty over Tibet is a prerequisite for establishing diplomatic relations with China.
- Tibet’s geopolitical and strategic importance in China cannot be understated. Despite being a relatively small population within China, Tibet covers a vast area equivalent to Western Europe minus Scandinavia. Additionally, it holds the headwaters of many major rivers that are crucial for the water supply of multiple Asian countries.
- The historical and ongoing relationship between Tibet and China has been characterized by the giving and receiving of “gifts” from the Chinese government. These gifts represent various policies and changes, from land distribution to economic reforms, aimed at influencing and maintaining stability in Tibet.
- Tibetans have a significant political role within China, despite their relatively small population. The Tibetan Plateau represents a substantial portion of China’s territory, and Tibetans have a history of resistance to Chinese rule. This has made Tibet a crucial issue for the Chinese government, reflected in the fact that recognizing China’s sovereignty over Tibet is a prerequisite for establishing diplomatic relations with China.
- China’s Tightened Policies in Tibet: In late 2011, China introduced new and tighter policies in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) and gradually imposed them in some eastern Tibetan areas as well. This was based on an official assessment that support for the Dalai Lama was widespread among Tibetans, not limited to a small group as previously claimed.
- Grassroots Control and Surveillance: China implemented unprecedented administrative and control measures at the grassroots level in Tibet, including sending cadres to live in every village, establishing party committees and security teams in each village, stationing cadre teams in monasteries, constructing police stations, and setting up grid units to manage urban areas. This marked the emergence of a surveillance state, aiming to identify and suppress support for the Dalai Lama and Tibetan independence.
- Self-Immolation Protests and Failed Talks: A form of political protest called self-immolation emerged in Tibet as a response to the failure of authorities to address grievances raised by the protests of 2008. Between 2009 and 2018, around 155 Tibetans set themselves on fire, with approximately 120 of them succumbing to their injuries. Efforts to reach a political solution between Tibetans in exile and the Chinese government collapsed, leading to a stalemate in negotiations.
What are the historical factors that may have influenced China’s actions in Tibet ?
Tibet was once an independent buddhist empire, which is threatening in China’s eyes.
1800s - Russia and Britain take over the territory, and in 1914 Britain declares it a protectorate - there has been significant foreign insurgence in the region
1950 - the PLA takes control of Tibet, this is somewhat accepted by the Tibetan people - the party beings their own reforms in Tibet (land reforms), but monasteries are treated as landlord owned spaces, leading to religious persecution.
A rumour begins that the PLA is detaining the Dalai Lama, leading to protests and resistance - militias and various armed groups are now active in the region.
The PLA crushes this rebellion and the Dalai Lama runs to North India (where he remains to this day)
What occurs in Tibet starting 1959, and what follows ?
- In 1959, the CCP forcefully begins reshaping Tibet with its own national policies.
5-10% of the population is sent to labour camps.
The Cultural Revolution in Tibet targets monasteries (they are the tradition and the authority)
- 1965 - Beijing establishes Tibetan autonomous region (in state institutions - head of state of ethnic minority, not head of party)
Describe the situation in Tibet in the 1980s.
- 1980s - there is a brief window of liberalization when Hu Yaobang dies.
- Late 1980s - wave of protests, and Hu Jintao declares martial law.
Describe the situation in Tibet in the 2000s.
- 2008 - protests because Monks are mistreated by Chinese officials in prison. There is a militarization of the conflict followed by a clamp down and a shut down of the region.
The individuals behind the protests used the Olympics to spread the word to the international community.
- 2011 - reeducation camps (similar to Xinjiang) and places party cells in monasteries.
How does China want the world to view their interventions in Tibet ?
That it was a successful initiative.
Difficult to accept because the region goes back and forth between resistance and repression and the foreign media and academics have not have uncensored access to the region or the people for the last 15 years.
What is the Tibetan resistance like ?
Because of the tight control mechanisms, resistance efforts are uncoordinated.
There has been a trend of self-immolation, but the government works to keep this quiet (quick funeral, no discussion of the circumstances, the home must be surrendered to the police for further investigation etc.)
What is the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and the buddhist leaders ?
With the Dalai Lama :
He advocates for a non-violent approach and preaches more autonomy for Tibet. Is looking for a pragmatic arrangement. - however, his faith is universalizable and that is a problem for Chinese authority.
The government states he is a violent being.
Hence, he has not been back to China since 1959.
His succession remains a questions because it occurs through reincarnation. - the Dalai Lama states that the next Dalai Lama will be born in a free country. Says he will pick at around 90, he is now 88 so it should occur soon.
For the Panchen Lama, the CCP took him at age 6, he has not been seen or heard of since. The party promises he is living a normal life somewhere in the country.
They then appointed their own Panchen Lama. Most Tibetans do not recognize him as he was not chosen and is strongly affiliated with the party (puppet.)
The succession line of the Panchen Lama is therefore also unpredictable.
