Mixed reviews on ‘peaceful liberation’

Whether Tibet has experienced fast-paced development or suppression of human rights and religious freedom depends on who you ask.

TIBET, located in southwest China, is remote and mystical. With holy monasteries and temples dotting the landscape, Tibetan Buddhism thrives on this plateau known as the roof of the world.

Last month, on March 23, China marked the 65th anniversary of its peaceful liberation of Tibet, referring to the signing of the 17-point agreement that acknowledged China’s sovereignty over Tibet in 1951.

According to its official stance, this “peaceful liberation” freed Tibet of its feudal serfdom under the integration of religion and politics.

“In the past 65 years, Tibet has witnessed ‘earth-shattering’ changes.

“It has now become a modern society that has incorporated (the principles of ) Socialism with Chinese characteristics,” Lian Xiangmin, Director of the Contemporary Institute of the China Tibetology Research Centre (CTRC), said.

However, a dissenting view, held by the Tibetan Government-in-exile, considered Chinese rule a military occupation that has disregarded human rights and the religious freedom of the Tibetan people.

The exiled spiritual leader – the 14th Dalai Lama leader who fled to India in 1959 – is often condemned by Beijing for his separatist efforts.

His call for “genuine autonomy” is seen as a guise for Tibet independence.

The Chinese Government regularly objects to meetings between the Dalai Lama and foreign leaders, and protests invitations to the Nobel Peace Prize laureate to attend international functions.

Lian said the Dalai Lama should “take a rest” instead of visiting country after country to take part in events.

“It is cruel of the Dalai’s group to take advantage of an 80-year-old like him. We regret (that this is happening),” Lian said.

“As experts on Tibet, we hope he can return to his political stance before 1959.

“This is more practical than his countless visits to foreign countries every year.”

Due to its political sensitivity, the Government practises strict control on entry into Tibet.

Special permits are needed for tourists, and travel websites such as Lonely Planet indicate that Tibet is out of bounds for visitors every February and March, largely thought to be due to the anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day on March 10 that had resulted in a crackdown and the Dalai Lama’s flight into exile.

The 2008 Lhasa riots, which injured 623 people and killed 18, also happened in March.

The Chinese Government prefers to highlight the economic development and improved quality of life that Tibet has achieved since 1951 to counter the negative publicity surrounding Tibet.

CTRC’s Social and Economic Institute research fellow Gesangzhuoma pointed out that the GDP of Tibet has grown 1000-fold from 100 million yuan in the 50s.

“Tibet has seen double-digit growth since 1997,” she said.

The illiteracy rate has also improved from 90% in 1951 to less than 1% among the young people, a direct result of the implementation of 15 years of compulsory education, she said.

Lian attributed the fast-paced development of Tibet to the “hard work of the Tibetan people with the support of the central Government and the whole nation.”

He said life expectancy of Tibetans has increased from 35.5 years in the 50s to the current 68 years, and the population of Tibet has increased from one million in the 50s to 3.18 million last year.

“The population structure hasn’t changed. Tibetans have always made up 90% of the total population,” he said.

In response to a supposed grudge among many Tibetans against the Government-engineered influx of Han people into the region, Lian explained that it was only natural to bring in experienced staffers from the mainland when developing Tibet.

“In 1951, Tibet didn’t have modern corporations. The hydroelectric station back then had one technician – the only one out of one million people in Tibet – who had received Western education.

“Under the planned economy system, factories from the mainland ventured to Tibet to set up companies, and so the managers and technicians were Han people, naturally.

“But there has been a huge change since reform and opening up. Many private companies are now registered by local Tibetans, who hire local employees. More and more corporations will have local people as managers and technicians,” he said.

On the self-immolation of Tibetans, which totalled 143 cases since 2009 according to the Tibetan Government-in-exile, Lian said those who participated in self-immolation were mostly young people whose “self-control is weak and easily incited by others.”

“We also noticed that the Dalai Lama has never made public statements to condemn the self-inflammation and urge the people to stop setting themselves alight, but only expressed his sympathy. This would encourage the act instead of curbing it,” he said.

While China is actively promoting its Belt and Road initiatives, Tibet is positioned as an important gateway to South Asia.

During Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s recent visit to China, both countries signed agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on transit and trade deals.

Besides a promise to accelerate Free Trade Area establishment, China also granted access to landlocked Nepal to trade goods with third countries via its ports.

“These have exemplified Tibet’s function in opening up to South Asia. Many projects will be launched through Tibet.

“We hope India, Pakistan, Myanmar and Bhutan will also engage in talks with China on bilateral cooperation to boost the development of China and South Asia together,” Lian said.