separatism

History

Most part of Tibet is populated by Tibetans, a different ethnicity than Chinese.

These people have a long and unique history and they believe that Chinese schooling, immigration, monitoring of religious officials, and exploitation of the region’s natural resources is destroying their ancient culture.

The Tibetans weren’t able to defend from Mao’s army, so they signed the 17-point agreement in 1951. Essentially it acknowledged Chinese authority.

The agreement created the Tibet Autonomous Region, which is what the area is officially called today.

What would happen if Tibet separates from China?

• Tibetans are refugees in other countries, such as Nepal and India.
• Tibetans might not survive without China’s economy.
• If Tibetans get their independence they would have less restricted order for practicing their religion.
• Tibetans would more benefited rather than only the Han- Chinese immigrants. Also there are steps to keep Tibet culture.
• In case it happens a violent conflict between Tibet and China, the odds are that China would win because they have a much bigger military power and army prepared.

Interesting Facts

Dalai Lama is a title given to spiritual leaders of Tibetan people, who is a symbol of unification of the state of Tibet, where he has represented Buddhist values and traditions.

The current Dalai Lama, the 14th, Won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Since 1959, he stood at the head of the nonviolent opposition to China's occupation of Tibet.

Tibet 2018

China considers this to be the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

Violence is now overshadowed by the effective Chinese pressure on world leaders and poor countries either to ignore the Dalai Lama and his champions or lose economic ties with Beijing. From Norway to Washington to the Vatican the Dalai Lama can make no high-level contacts.

Tibet Autonomous Region

• It is bordered by Chinese provinces, Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Nepal, the disputed Kashmir region and the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang.
• Lhasa is the capital city.
• Ethnic composition

90% Tibetan

8% Han

0.3% Monpa

0.3% Hui

0.2% others

• Languages and dialects: Tibetan, Mandarin Chinese
• The main religion in Tibet has been Buddhism since its outspread in the 8th century AD.

Photos

Domesticated yak

Tibet is on a high plateau—the Plateau of Tibet—surrounded by enormous mountain masses

Lhasa

International Response

No country openly disputes China's claim to sovereignty, and China has blocked all UN Security Council resolutions on Tibet since the People's Republic took over the China seat in the UN in 1971.

Future Vision

Dustin Stokes shows one vision of a possible future Tibet:

"Tibet would be more autonomous, but still remain part of China and under its sovereignty. However, Tibet would have more political self-determination. Economic development would continue, but in a way that genuinely benefits Tibetans, rather than only Tibet's Han Chinese immigrants. Moreover, these and other steps would help keep Tibetan culture intact. Gradually, this kind of self-determination and improved governance would be extended to the ethnically Tibetan areas of neighboring provinces. Finally, through a long term, incremental process, China — and therefore eventually Tibet — would one day become a liberal democracy. "

The free-Tibet movement:

The Tibetan cause has won the sympathy of individuals and groups, many of whom campaign for an independent Tibet to take shape.

Self-immolation protests

This kind of protests has been being done by monks or ex-monks. They die, but they use that to call the international media attention, so the world will see that Tibet hasn't stop fighting for its independency.

NEWS

"ICT said his death was the 153rd self-immolation by a Tibetan since the protests began in 2009."

"The self-immolations [...] aim to highlight [...] the oppression of Tibet’s Buddhist culture, as well as appeal for the return of exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama."

News

One needy Tibetan family were declared eligible for government subsidies, but were disqualified after a surprise visit to their home by Chinese officials, who saw a photo of the Dalai Lama on display in the couple’s house. The next day, they were told their subsidy was cut off.

Police in Lithang now make frequent visits to Tibetan homes to search for photos of the exiled spiritual leader.

“These abrupt entries into their homes have caused great anxiety and become a problem in the daily lives of ordinary Tibetans".

sources

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2136392/tibetan-man-dies-self-immolation-protest-chinas-sichuan

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-16689779

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10163270902872135?journalCode=rkjd20

https://www.freetibet.org

https://www.beyondintractability.org/casestudy/stokes-tibet