Tibet is nestled in the largest mountain range on the planet. It has a mystique about it that has captivated Westerners since their first view from the “Rooftop of the World”. Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, is located in the foothills of mount Gephel. The inhabitants of this sacred city share a strong faith in Buddhism and unconditional following for the Dalai Lama. It is in this city that the Tibetan people seek their leadership. Inside the holiest city in Tibetan Buddhism is the governing seat of the Dalai Lama and over a quarter million people. It is a remote population center that is located at one of the highest elevations of any city in the world. The karma of Lhasa is based on over two thousand years of history engulfed in the Tibetan spiritual and cultural history. Lhasa is translated as the “The Holy Land” or “The Land of Buddha”.

Tibet and China: A Historical Perspective

Tibetan History as an independent and sovereign state dates back to the early part of the 7th century. Prior history includes that in 1063 B.C., Five hundred years prior to the arrival of Buddha Sakyamuni into this world, Lord Shenrab Miwo reformed the primitive Shen race and founded the Tibetan Bon religion. After a series of Kings the kingdom known as Bod, the present name of Tibet, came into existence. The lineage of Tibetan monarchy continued for well over a thousand years until King Lang Darma, was assassinated in 842 A.D.. In the prior two centuries to this assassination the Tibetan Empire was at its peak and its armies invaded China and several Central Asian countries. In 763 the Tibetans seized the then Chinese capital at Ch’ang-an (present day Xian). As the Chinese Emperor had fled, the Tibetans appointed a new Emperor. This memorable victory has been preserved for posterity in the Zhol Doring (stone pillar) in Lhasa. It was during his time that Samye, the first monastery in Tibet, was founded by Guru Padmasambhava established the supremacy of Buddhism and converted the indigenous deities into guardians of the Dharma. In 821 China and Tibet ended almost 200 years of fighting with a treaty engraved on three stone pillars, one of which still stands in front of the Jokhang cathedral in Lhasa. The treaty established that both Tibet and China shall keep the country and frontiers of which they are now possessed. The whole region to the East of that being the country of Great China and the whole region to the West being assuredly the country of Great Tibet, from either side there shall be no hostile invasion, and no seizure of territory.

In the 13th century Tibet became part of the Asian Mongol empire. Tibet was able to swoon the Mongols that conquered and ruled China, but allowed Tibet to semi self rule under allegiance and influence to the Mongol Empire. A spiritual relationship with the Mongols developed and even resulted in their aristocracy converting to Buddhism. The Mongols promised to protect Tibet. After the fall of the Mongol Empire , Tibet fell into a state of no central rule. The Manchu Dynasty arrives and in 1720, along with the help of the Tibetan army drove the remnants of the Mongolia army out of the Tibet. The reason Tibet assisted the Manchu was that in prior years much controversy and mistrust began to brew between the ruling Mongols and the Tibetan Buddhist as to whom the new Dalai Lama actually was.

The Tibetans fell under the rule of the Manchu, but as with the Mongols were able for the most part to self rule with allegiance to the Manchu (Ching Dynasty). However this fell through as conflicts arose among Tibetan and the Manchu and a new government was put into place to provide more control for the Ching Dynasty. The Ching Dynasty had other objectives as they sought to expand their growing empire and influence. Over all the Ching Dynasty period brought relative peace to Tibet.

After the Manchu Empire ended, the Chinese government in 1912 officially became the Republic of China. The Chinese troops that were in Tibet over time dwindled away and returned to China proper. Tibet felt that they were once a gain on their own. The foreign Mongols and Manchus armies were gone. Their allegiance was to Tibet only. Tibet felt that their dependent relationship with China ended with the end of Macnhu rule. There was no other army in Tibet other than the Tibetan Army between 1911 and 1950. The important thing to remember is that traditionally, Tibetans only wanted a peaceful land to worship Buddha. Their independence has not been an issue for them since they first accepted Mongol rule centuries before. Western influence, mainly Briton, worked in favor of an independent Tibet in the early part of the twentieth century. The main reason for Briton interests was due to the proximity to British ruled India. In 1913 Mongolia and Tibet signed a treaty proclaiming their independence from China. This is where a problem occurs. There is much dispute about whether the envoys that signed the document were authorized on the Tibetan side to do so on behalf of the Tibetan people.

After WWI China became split into warlord factions and the Tibet issue was lost in the chaos of divisions. There had been no formal delegation from China in Lhasa since 1911. In 1934 however, soon after the 13th Dalai Lama passed on, China restated their pre WWI position that Tibet was part of China but was allowed assert it’s own political affairs as long as they do not conflict with China’s interest.. In 1935 the 14th and current Dalai Lama was born within 4 years he was given the title of the Dalai Lama.

The 14th and Current Dalai Lama was born in 1935 and has been greatly influenced by Western contacts. He has expanded his sympathizers for Chinas occupation of Tibet with each new generation. With the 2008 Olympics quickly approaching many have used the event to protest China’s refusal to recognize Tibet as self ruling.

China and Tibet’s seventeen Point Agreement

In 1950 The Chinese Liberation Army entered into the eastern regions of Tibet and quickly overtook the Tibetan soldiers in the area by surprise. An agreement was accepted by China and Tibet known as the “Seventeen Point Agreement For The Peaceful Liberation of Tibet.” In 1959 prior to fleeing to neighboring India, the Dalai Lama repudiated the treaty based on China’s violation of many points within the agreement.

Text of the ‘Seventeen Point Agreement’ – 23rd May 1951

Agreement on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet. Signed and sealed in Beijing on 23 May 1951. The preamble to the agreement stressed that Tibet had a “long history within the boundaries of China,” outlined the aggressive imperialist forces in Tibet that needed to be “successfully eliminated” and claimed that both parties (Tibetans and Chinese People’s Government – CPG) had, as a result of talks, agreed to “establish the agreement and ensure that it be carried into effect.”

1. The Tibetan people shall unite and drive out imperialist aggressive forces from Tibet; the Tibetan people shall return to the big family of the Motherland ­ the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
2. The local government of Tibet shall actively assist the PLA to enter Tibet and consolidate the national defenses.
3. In accordance with the policy towards nationalities laid down in the Common Programme of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Committee, the Tibetan people have the right of exercising national regional autonomy under the unified leadership of the CPG.
4. The central authorities will not alter the existing political system in Tibet. The central authorities also will not alter the established status, functions and powers of the Dalai Lama. Officials of various ranks shall hold office as usual.
5. The established status, functions and powers of the Panchen Ngoerhtehni shall be maintained.
6. By the established status, functions and powers of the Dalai Lama and of the Panchen Ngoerhtehni are meant the status, functions and powers of the thirteenth Dalai Lama and the ninth Panchen Ngoerhtehni when they had friendly and amicable relations with each other.
7. The policy of freedom of religious belief laid down in the common program of the CPPCC shall be carried out. The religious beliefs, customs and habits of the Tibetan people shall be respected and lama monasteries shall be protected. The central authorities will not effect a change in the income of the monasteries.
8. Tibetan troops shall be reorganized step by step into the PLA and become a part of the defense force of the PRC.
9. The spoken and written language and school education of the Tibetan nationality shall be developed step by step in accordance with the actual conditions in Tibet.
10. Tibetan agriculture, livestock raising, industry and commerce shall be developed step by step and the people’s livelihood shall be improved step by step in accordance with the actual conditions in Tibet.
11. In matters relating to various reforms in Tibet, there will be no compulsion on the part of the central authorities. The local government of Tibet shall carry out reforms of its own accord, and, when the people raise demands for reform, they shall be settled by means of consultation with the leading personnel of Tibet.
12. In so far as former pro-imperialists and pro-Kuomintang [Guomindang] officials resolutely sever relations with imperialism and the Kuomintang [Guomindang] and do not engage in sabotage or resistance, they may continue to hold office irrespective of their past.
13. The PLA entering Tibet shall abide by all the above-mentioned policies and shall also be fair in all buying and selling and shall not arbitrarily take a needle or thread from the people.
14. The CPG shall have centralized handling of all external affairs of the area of Tibet; and there will be peaceful co-existence with neighboring countries and establishment and development of fair commercial and trading relations with them on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect for territory and sovereignty.
15. In order to ensure the implementation of this agreement, the CPG shall set up a Military and Administrative Committee and a Military Area HQ in Tibet and – apart from the personnel sent there by the CPG – shall absorb as many local Tibetan personnel as possible to take part in the work. Local Tibetan personnel taking part in the Military and Administrative Committee may include patriotic elements from the local government of Tibet, various districts and various principal monasteries; the name list shall be set forth after consultation between the representatives designated by the CPG and various quarters concerned and shall be submitted to the CPG for appointment.
16. Funds needed by the military and Administrative Committee, the Military Area HQ and the PLA entering Tibet shall be provided by the CPG. The local government of Tibet should assist the PLA in the purchase and transport of food, fodder and other daily necessities.
17. This agreement shall come into force immediately after signature and seals are affixed to it.

Signed and sealed by the delegates of the CPG with full powers by Chief Delegate Li Weihan (Chairman of the Commission of Nationalities Affairs) and three delegates. Delegates with full powers of the local government of Tibet by Chief Delegate Kaloon Ngabou Ngawang Jigme (Ngabo Shape) and four delegates.

China and Tibet: China Takes over Tibet

The “Seventeen Point Agreement” of 1951 officially incorporated Tibet into China. Lhasa, the Dalai Lama controlled area, was to be a highly autonomous area where where the Dalai Lama was still a symbol of not only religion but also one of local governing. According to the Chinese government, Tibetan rule had left many Tibetans in poor living conditions and had not kept pace with the modernization within the rest of China. They further stated that Tibet’s religious rule had inhibited growth and development and inhibited modernizations efforts brought forth by the Chinese government. In essence, Tibet was not allowing it’s citizens opportunity to benefit from modern forms of living. It kept Tibetans isolated with limited resources and opportunity. The Chinese Government acted against the nobles and monasteries, land was taken away from them and redistributed among the serfs that worked for their masters previously under the former Tibetan rule. Rebellions occurred and thousands of Tibetans lost their lives in the conflict. The fighting had gotten so fierce that in the end the Dalai Lama and other government officials left Tibet for safety in India. The Chinese Government responded to the rebellions by taking away the autonomous rule in all sectors of Tibet including Lhasa. The only government in Lhasa was the Chinese Government from there forward. Guerrilla warfare by Tibetan rebels continued the fight against the Chinese troops in Tibet well into the early seventies.
In the end, there are many sides to the history of Tibet. There are arguments for both sides Human rights activists have stated that under the People’s Republic of China’s rule many Tibetans have suffered as a result of converting Tibet to state socialism. China itself has stated that the modernizing of Tibet is crucial for the inhabitants that live in the region and says that modern Tibet is an improvement to the Tibet of the past. More services and modernization is affecting the lives of Tibetans in a positive way.
The Dalai Lama has been quoted in the past saying that Tibet is willing to be a part of China and allow it to govern as long as it guarantees to protect Tibetan culture, spirituality, and environment. His vision of Tibet is one of religious reawakening , a place of peace and tranquility. A refuge for souls needing to have inner peace. In September 1987 His Holiness proposed the Five Point Peace Plan for Tibet as the first step towards a peaceful solution to the worsening situation in Tibet. He envisaged that Tibet would become a sanctuary; a zone of peace at the heart of Asia, where all sentient beings can exist in harmony and the delicate environment can be preserved. Hopefully in our time Tibet and China can come to an understanding. An understanding that the Dalai Lama and Tibet are rare forms and are an asset to possess within China’s border. We live in a world of exterminating cultures, to possess one as unique as this is a treasure.

China vs. United States Over Taiwan
The United States has enraged China with their recent Arms sales to Taiwan. The U.S. feels they have and will continue to have an obligation to help keep the independence of Taiwan a reality. China feels much differently on the matter. The government in Beijing sees Taiwan as a runaway province that is not indepent but part of China. China has threatened many times in the past to do whatever it takes to unite Taiwan with mainland China. This “whatever it takes” includes the use of force. China sees the arms sales as an immediate threat to China.

Chinese state media blasted the United States on Monday for a planned $6.4 billion arms package for Taiwan, while U.S. officials said they hoped fallout from the flap would be limited and temporary. The arms sales, the latest in a series but the first by the Obama administration, has added to a litany of bilateral strains between the world’s biggest and third-biggest economies, including the value of China’s currency, trade protectionism, Internet freedoms and Tibet. The United States switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, recognizing “one China,” and says it wants the two sides to settle their differences peacefully. The United States remains Taiwan’s biggest backer and is obliged by the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to help in the island’s defense.

The Pentagon’s 2010 Ballistic Missile Defense Review Report to Congress, published on Monday, said the United States was concerned and closely monitoring China’s missile buildup and increasingly advanced capabilities in the Pacific region. China has increased spending steadily over the past decade and has modernizing it’s military capabilities. It is interesting to watch the Chinese get so upset over the sales of arms to anyone. They are one of the most reckless distributirs of weapons in the world. They have sold deadly helicopters and other arms to Sudan during the Darfur crisis. Sudan’s president is wanted by the Hague for genocide charges. The world of arms sales always comes full circle. It is a lesson that the United States, China and the rest of the security council at the UN needs to accept.

Chines state media has been releasing a torrent of articles condemning the sale of Patriot air defense equipment to Taiwan. China views the self-ruled island as a breakaway province and sees arms sales as interference in an internal matter. China did not notify the United States in advance of a missile defence test and Washington has asked Beijing to clarify its intentions with the intercept weaponry, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. US officials have repeatedly urged China to be more open about its military spending and programs to avoid possible misunderstandings. China had warned at the weekend that it reserved the right to take unspecified action if Washington followed through with the sale, which it called a “severe obstacle” to China-US military ties.

Missile technology has been one focus of the Chinese military’s modernisation drive, funded by double-digit rises in defence spending for several years running. Last year China’s military budget rose 14.9%, to 480.6bn yuan (£44bn).

“[The test] indicates a huge scale of ambition,” said Ron Huisken, of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University, adding that intercepting missiles in flight was “fiendishly difficult to do”.

“This is confirmation of the message that China fully intends to have the panoply of contemporary military technology at its disposal.”