Being a Buddhist and a Chinese, the relationship between China and Tibet is close to my heart. It is indeed very distressing hearing stories of Tibetan Monks being beaten up, even more distressing to see supposedly pro-Tibetan protesters disrupting the Beijing Olympic Torch relay.
The China-Tibet issue is more than merely about China and Tibet. Many other parties try to exert their influence, hoping to achieve their personal goals.
The English media often talk about Chinese “invasion” of Tibet in 1950. However, it often fail to point out that, Tibet was part of China back in 1700s during the Qing Dynasty. In fact, in the late 1700s, Nepalese Gurkha invaded Tibet, the Chinese Qianlong Emperor’s army together with local Tibetan troops were called upon to defend Tibet, which is part of China. Without Qianlong’s army, Tibetan history could have been very different.
The western world cannot be seen as a neutral party in China Tibet issue. In the recent history, The western imperial power have been using all kind of lies and excuses to achieve their ambition. The “weapon of mass destruction”; the invasion and destruction of Iraq was one such example.
In the early 1900s, the British and Russian competed for supremacy in Central Asia, Tibet was the jewel to be captured in this conflict. British forces invaded Tibet in 1903, it was reported that the British soldiers mowed down the Tibetans with machine guns as they fled. With this recent history in mind, can we trust that the Western world does not have ulterior motive when they interfere in China’s internal affair?
Promoting independence of Tibet from China is infringing China’s sovereignty. Tibet is part of China, just like Scotland is part of United Kingdom. If China start supporting Scottish Separatist movement, I am sure UK will be really unhappy too. Separatist movement are not well tolerated throughout history, just look at Ester Rising (1916) in Ireland, many civilians were killed, 15 separatist leaders were executed, 3000 political prisoners were put behind bars by the British. Unfortunately, the reality is suppression of separatist movements are equally harsh all over the world.
On the other hand, I hope China would start to see Dalai Lama as part of the solution rather than problem in China-Tibet relationship. Dalai Lama is not seeking independence for Tibet; His Holiness is seeking preservation of Tibetan Culture and religion. Dalai Lama had openly appeal for non-violence and encourage Tibetan to co-exist with the ethnics Chinese. He understand that for Tibet to progress economically, Tibet is better off being part of China.
Hopefully the people of Tibet would follow the advice of their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Non-violence and co-existence. Violence and instability in that region will not benefit Tibet or China. May China show restrained and compassion when dealing with China-Tibet relationship.
May we all have wisdom to see beyond what is reported by the media. May we all have more compassion. May peace prevail.
Related Post
http://chenghiang.wordpress.com/2007/09/27/buddhist-monks-and-myanmar/
http://chenghiang.wordpress.com/2007/07/15/change-the-world/
http://chenghiang.wordpress.com/2007/05/02/18/ (Bush Care)
Related Friends Blogs
http://tinlala.wordpress.com/events-whats-on-now/vigil-for-tibetans/
http://kayteakatykt.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!C4921A13CDA96AAC!3690.entry#trackback
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_unrest_in_Tibet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Nationalism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_National_Liberation_Army
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separatism
Filed under: Chinese, Provoking, Reflection | Tagged: china, Free Tibet, olympics, One China, separatist, tibet, wetern media
I’m not quite sure what Dalai Lama exactly wants.. but you are right.. somehow we should try to understand each other better and work out a peaceful and productive solution
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phramick said,
http://phramick.wordpress.com/
April 15, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Dear Ichxian,
I have read your blog on China and Tibet. Thank you for your kind explanation.
I sometimes wish too that Universe could be forgiving and compassionate, however as I take a look around me and see things working together in a perfect harmonious precision. I came to understand that all is as it is meant to be.
China vs Tibet isn’t a new phenomenon… it had happened times and times before, The Roman empire and feudal Japan for example.
Universe depends on change and conflicts to keep perpetuating and it is extremely precise and balanced. In grasping for heaven, we created hell. The architect god is choiceless and powerless against Universal Law of Balance. In reaching for “good”, “bad” is the resulting effect. There is no way around this problem.
I share the sympathy with all who are involved in this war. But the more we can understand the simple operational standards of the system, the more we can realise that there is no such thing as coincident.
May all beings realise the suffering nature of this system, and come to understand what the Buddha really wanted to say.
Dear PM,
Thanks for the comment about my blog on Tina’s page….
I have copy and paste this reply on my page
It take a while to understand what you said. Let me paraphrase if I got it correctly.
“In this system, Samsara, there will be suffering. We need to understand this imperfection of life. ??nothing much we can do about it? but just to understand the imperfection?”
The way I understand it…
My definition of Suffering is:
Energy cannot remain constant,
Body & Mind cannot remain in one state too long…
They must constantly struggle for change.
phramick.
Thank you Cheng Hiang, I’m glad to see a Chinese Buddhist with such informed and thoughtful views on this issue. I wish there were more Chinese like you who had the freedom to speak out and help solve all of the misunderstanding and needless animosity caused by the Tibet crisis.
Citta Prajana, I need to clarify the point of calling myself a Chinese Buddhist.
I am Chinese by ethnicity, Malaysian by nationality. Even though my family have left China for many generation, I am still very much a Chinese culturally.
Well, the Tibetans could always follow the example of the Christians who faced persecution over the centuries. When Rome or Stalin or Mao came and shook their fists…….
The Christians sang hymns and let themselves be killed.
Ironically, the more Christians died, the more Christianity spread… So it might work for Tibet too.
Scott Thong,
The Christians did NOT always sing hymns, there are more blood shed than anything else.
Have a read…
http://www.white-history.com/hwr43.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_wars
For a more recent war involved Christianity, have a read about The Troubles in Northern Ireland, where the Catholic fight the Protestant.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles
If Tibet were to learn from all these “holy” wars… there will be no peace in China.
Hello Cheng Hiang, i am the Ed of World Have Your Say on the BBC. We are seeking to bring together Chinese and Tibetan voices on our programme this evening.
You posted a link on our site with no comment- i have no problem with people posting links but it’d be nice if you joined the conversation too, and told our community why they should have a look at your blog.
Please feel free, and all the best
Mark
the chinese govt needs to stop its beastly tactics at home and against so.called ‘minorities’
Propaganda Press,
Separatist movement are not well tolerated throughout history, just look at Ester Rising (1916) in Ireland, many civilians were killed, 15 separatist leaders were executed, 3000 political prisoners were put behind bars by the British. Unfortunately, the reality is suppression of separatist movements are equally harsh all over the world.
we don’t agree with any of those acts of repressions and ireland is a free coutry today except for 6 counties in the north
there’s nothing wrong with wanting to separate yourself from your coloniser
In 821/822 AD Tibet and China signed a peace treaty. A bilingual account of this treaty including details of the borders between the two countries are inscribed on a stone pillar which stands outside the Jokhang temple in Lhasa.[25]
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibet
So they were two separate countries even in those early days.
Hi, well said. Hopefully more Chinese and Tibetans could have this mindset some movement towards solving this problem rather then disputing over it.
I’ll post this on my blog as well.
[...] posted at: http://chenghiang.wordpress.com/2008/04/15/china-and-tibet/#comment-334 [...]
Pedro,
Thanks for pointing out that there was a peace treaty between China and Tibet in 800s. Reading around that subject, we will soon find out there are so much interaction/history between these two Culture. In fact, the Tibetans once managed to forcefully take over the capital of ancient China.
I think we can draw parallel the story of China/Tibet and Scotland/England. Scotland and England were two separate countries in history, there were many wars between them, and probably many peace treaties. But NOW Scotland and England is one, United Kingdom.
The Tibetans will be very familiar with the teaching of Impermanence by the Buddha. There is no constant unchanged state of being. It could be two countries in history. But for now, Tibet is part of China.
Promoting independence of Tibet from China is infringing China’s sovereignty. Just like promoting the separation of Scotland from UK. Or separation of Northern Ireland from UK/Ireland.
propaganda press,
“there’s nothing wrong with wanting to separate yourself from your coloniser”
That does not mean that, there is no consequence of wanting to separate. Separatist movement are not well tolerated throughout history. Unfortunately, the reality is suppression of separatist movements are equally harsh all over the world.
Besides, The Political and spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness The Dalai Lama, currently is not seeking independence or separation! He understand that for Tibet to progress economically, Tibet is better off being part of China.
Some other elements who do not have the best interest of Tibetans and China in their heart, is inciting the Tibet Separatist movement.
Author says that Tibet has been part of China since Qing Dynasty in 1700s. Qing is a Manchurian Dynasty. Manchus are not Chinese, they were from an independent nation called Manchuria. Manchu occupied China, as well Tibet and Outer Mongolia during this period. Manchus were even brutal and prevented Muchus from having any contact business wise or otherwise specially marriages with Han-Chinese. Just like during Yuan Dynasty in 1200s, Mongolians occupied whole of China and Tibet. It doesn’t mean Tibet is a part of Mongolia now, otherwise China should be part of Mongolia as well. I feel like lots of Chinese bring these dynasties to justify how and why Tibet is a part of Tibet just for a heck of debate not understand what these dynasties are, what nationality and where they came from,etc etc
The Manchu empire originally was formed by three provinces, Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning. The land that it occupied extended much farther than it does in present day China containing most of Mongolia.
In 1644, the nomadic Manchu people left the Manchurian plain and entered Peking. The Manchu established the Ching dynasty of rulers. With the power of the Manchu growing, they made the Chinese wear the traditional pigtail and clothing. In 1646, the Manchu invaded Chekiang, Fukien, and Szechwan, and, within one year, they took Canton. In 1966, the leaders of the Manchu ordered evacuation of all the costal regions to keep them from being exposed to outside cultures. Then, in 1668, Manchuria was closed to all Chinese. No outside trade or customs were allowed. In 1670, Manchu people took Turkestan. Wu San-kuei was the first real rebellion against the Manchu, in 1673. The rebellion was not successful.
Manchu continued conquering Outer Mongolia and Tibet. The Manchu were also responsible for the massacre and extermination of the Dzungars, another cultural group of people. During the late1700’s, the Manchu took their armies to Nepal to fight the Gurkhas and defeated them. By mid 1800, the Manchu territory slowly started to disappear by the advancements of Russians, British and French troops. In the early 1900’s, the Manchu people where down to only about eighty percent of the previous conquering population. The Manchu empire that expanded over much of present day China and Mongolia was reduced to one-tenth the size.
So I never understood when Chinese as well as the author here misinterprets history and they are not alone, they are western scholars with limited knowledge of Eastern culture and history who would cite the same.
and lchxian, Great Britain is a nation that included United Kingdom, Northern Ireland,Scotland and Wales. And since we keep coming back to how Scotland and United Kingdom being a part of Great Britain. I thought I should throw some light on Acts of Union 1707.
The Acts of Union were a pair of Parliamentary Acts passed in 1706 and 1707 by, respectively, the Parliament of England and the Parliament of Scotland, to put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union which had been negotiated between the two countries. The Acts joined the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland (previously separate states, with separate legislatures but with the same monarch) into a single Kingdom of Great Britain.
I thought I should also mention that in Scotland, they have a Scottish parliament called Scottish Government.
The Scottish Government is responsible for all issues that are not explicitly reserved to the United Kingdom Parliament at Westminster, by the Scotland Act; including NHS Scotland, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport. It managed an annual budget of more than £27 billion in the financial year 2005-2006; this is due to rise to over £30 billion in 2007-2008.
The government is led by the First Minister, assisted by various Ministers with individual portfolios and remits. The Scottish Parliament nominates a Member to be appointed as First Minister by the Queen. The First Minister then appoints his Ministers (now known as Cabinet Secretaries) and junior Ministers, subject to approval by the Parliament. The First Minister, the Ministers (but not junior ministers), the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General are the Members of the Scottish Executive, as set out in the Scotland Act 1998. They are collectively known as “the Scottish Ministers”.
Similar to the United Kingdom government, there is no division between the executive and the legislative arms of government, with the members of the Scottish Executive being chosen from amongst the Members of the Scottish Parliament (except for the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General, who need not be MSPs). The members of the Scottish Executive are assisted by a number of junior ministers, also chosen from amongst the Members of the Parliament. The members of the Executive are therefore able to influence, and in practice dictate legislation in Scotland.
The Scottish Government is currently formed by the Scottish National Party who are the largest party in the Scottish Parliament, although they do not possess an overall majority. The current First Minister is Alex Salmond.
Well, I wonder if China will allow this kind of autonomy to Tibet?
Gyemo,
You mean give Tibet a similar status as Hong Kong or Macau? I’d like it to happen, but I doubt it will. Beijing doesn’t see Tibet the same way. In any case, Tibet never had a similar history of European colonization.
CC
Glad you stopped bye.
whatever the arguments, using historical boundaries as reason for occupying another state is one of the most disingenuous excuses. if historical rights hold true for everyone, most countries will have some rights over their neighbours. then what?
This is not historical boundaries only. This is CURRENT boundary. Promoting independence of Tibet from China is infringing China’s sovereignty.
Dalai Lama is not seeking independence for Tibet; His Holiness is seeking preservation of Tibetan Culture and religion.
I am not going into the aspiration for Tibetan independence. I readily acknowledge I don’t know enough to seriously debate about it.
What I am arguing against is the abuse of historical fact as an excuse for illegal acts. as you mentioned earlier, Tibetans once occupied the Chinese capital. I don’t know whether that’s true, but lets assume your facts are correct. does that historical event give the Tibetans the right to demand Beijing’s obeisance now? definitely not, I hope. the CURRENT boundary was obtained 50 yrs or so ago by force. do we legitimize it by ignoring how it was acquired, despite the protests of the native population? Then Ireland shouldn’t have demanded for independence, nor East Timor, nor the U.S.
well, realpolitik is as its name : real. But if everything is distilled down to realpolitik, wouldn’t this world be a much sadder place?
Huajern,
The English media often talk about Chinese “invasion” of Tibet in 1950. However, it often fail to point out that, Tibet was part of China back in 1700s during the Qing Dynasty. In fact, in the late 1700s, Nepalese Gurkha invaded Tibet, the Chinese Qianlong Emperor’s army together with local Tibetan troops were called upon to defend Tibet, which is part of China. Without Qianlong’s army, Tibetan history could have been very different.
You were right! Borders of countries changes every so often. This is just another example of impermanence. The history between China and Tibet go on for such a long time, therefore it is inaccurate to use a certain point of time in history to explain current situation and ignore the rest of the history as it does not favour our stand.
Talking about invasion and protest of local population, it is worth a read about the Depopulation of Diego Garcia to build a UK/US military base. These countries can sing about human rights etc, but the reality is just far from that.
Why do we hardly read or hear about this injustice in the English media?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depopulation_of_Diego_Garcia
[...] to achieve their personal goals. The English media often talk about Chinese ???invasion??? of Tibhttp://chenghiang.wordpress.com/2008/04/15/china-and-tibet/Myanmar – Wiki Travel Guide – TravellerspointOpen source, wiki travel guide to myanmar with [...]
If Tibet was a part of China, where were the Chinese troops in 1904 when the British invaded? And what about the 821 Tibet-China peace treaty that basically declared the separate freedoms of the two independent countries? Stop reading the censored news and histories of China. Too revisionist to be taken at face value, to be sure.
Thanks for pointing out the weakness of China in early 1900s. The sick men of East Asia, was unable to defend it’s border.
“In fact, in the late 1700s, Nepalese Gurkha invaded Tibet, the Chinese Qianlong Emperor’s army together with local Tibetan troops were called upon to defend Tibet, which is part of China. Without Qianlong’s army, Tibetan history could have been very different.”
Huh? So what…who the fuck cares what happened in the 1700s. If you want to go back in time then there was a time when Tibet ruled large parts of China. And there was also a time when the Mongols ruled China and Tibet. Should I conclude that present day Mongols have a claim over China? Or should the Dalai Lama rule Tibet. I like your ridiculous arguments. I proclaim that I am the ruler of China based on a dream I had where I did in fact rule China. Now bow before me!!!!!!
BTW, any criticism of my rule over China is a violation of assman sovereignty and you have no fucking right to criticize my sovereignty. Mind your own business!
Mr Assman,
You may not care about what happened in 1700. The fact in the year 2008, Tibet is part of China. This is not history, this is current reality.
[...] While I was writing this, I stumbled across this blog which puts the Tibet issue from the Chinese viewpoint: [...]