Home » Tibet China Bhutan » Tibet trip

Tashi dele from Tibet [April-May 1999]

Tibet trip

Agelasto
2004-05-20 20:00:06

Displayed times (last time: )

China (at least its politicians if not its
average citizen) even more firm in its Tibet policy resolve. The anti-Zhu demonstrations
likely created support for conservative elements who wish more repression in Tibet,
exactly fearing foreign-inspired Free Tibet activism as that seen abroad. China, as a
nation-state, worked for several millennia to obtain frontiers it could be comfortable with.
That did not happen until 1950. It is inconceivable to me that China would ever set free
an inch of its present territory. I doubt the Free Tibet movement has much if any support
among China?s population. I have never met a single Chinese intellectual, many of whom
do not like the CCP and who support democracy much sooner than later, who believes
Tibet is not part of China.
To say that China?s leaders will not listen to foreign protests is not to suggest the CCP
turns a blind eye and ear to public opinion. The CCP is especially sensitive to public
opinion at home. China?s history is dotted with movements and revolutions that have
been sparked at the local level. Activism and opposition are usually handled in-house,
within the CCP, away from CNN. Some policy issues, such as the Three Gorges Project
or the future of the special economic zones, were let out for public opinion, but these are
rare occurrences.
If the Dalai Lama returned to China, Tibet would inevitably get into the forum of public
opinion. Indeed, his return would be worthless if he were excluded from the public eye.
This is where opportunities lie for the Dalai Lama, who has a standing invitation to return
to China. This invitation may well be an official bluff, for one must doubt whether the
CCP really wants the Dalai Lama?s input in its Tibet?s decisions, not to mention CNN
coverage. What China feared a generation ago was the continuation of the feudal
theocracy that characterized Tibet under lama rule. ...