China And Tibet: The True Path
Written by Beijing-based writer Wang Lixiong (王力雄), from openDemocracy:
… I am a supporter of the Dalai Lama’s “middle way” - meaning autonomy for Tibet in all matters except foreign affairs and national defence. This arrangement eventually would have to mean that Tibetan people select their own leaders - and that would be a major change from the way things are now. Tibet is called an “autonomous region”, but in fact its officials are all named by Beijing, and are all tightly focused on their own personal interests and the interests of the Communist Party. Tibetans can clearly see the difference between this kind of government and self-rule, and there is no way that they will support bogus autonomy.
It follows - even if this is a tall order - that the ultimate solution to the Tibet problem must be democratisation of the Chinese political system itself. True autonomy cannot come any other way.
It is time for the Chinese government to take stock of why its long-term strategy in Tibet has not worked, and to try something else. The old problems remain, and they are sure to continue, perhaps in places like the “Uighur Autonomous Region” of Xinjiang, if a more sensible approach is not attempted.
Origin: Wang Lixiong, openDemocracy
POSTED COMMENTS: 3 Responses
Guangxi doesn’t seem to mind Chinese autonomy. What would make Xinjiang any different? The problem seems to come from
the Muslims, not the Buddhist. Further is that this is more an economic problem than
it is a political one. If the Han were to pull out of Xiniang, it would fall into economic oblivion. Is this what is desired?
I have yet to hear what the hoodlums what.
If I was prime minister or president, then I would attend the Olympics, but I would issue a statement just before going.
I would thank the Chinese people for the honor of attending the Olympics in Beijing. I would praise the progress China has made since 1949. I would also apologize to the Chinese people for the behavior of British and American imperialists of the 19th century; I would characterize those western imperialists of the 19th century as being uncivilized “goons” and “thugs” who shamed western society by their behavior during the opium wars and their treatment of the Chinese people. I would also express concerns of all the challenges in the world we face, and ask the Chinese people to accept our sincere apology for the “goons” and “thugs” of western imperialism.
I would then mention the Pope and the Dalai Lama’s visits to Washington DC, and say that the Pope of the 20th century is not the same Pope of the imperial past. I would say that 50 years has transpired since 1959 and today the Dalai Lama is not the same man he was in 1959. I would hope that a path can be found to relieve the hurts of the past and that a way can be found to allow the Dalai Lama to live in a Tibetan Kingdom that is inside the PRC. We all should look to each other Chinese, westerners, the pope and the Dalai Lama with 21st eyes, hearts, and minds and learn to let go of the hurts and damages of the 19th century.
China has challenged the world with a one world one dream ideal, let us work together; Chinese, westerners, the Pope, the Dalai Lama and other leaders of the world’s religions to ensure this one world one dream brings peace to us all.
Democratization is the solution? One doesn’t have to look too far beyond China’s border, the place used to be Soviet Union; how fast that massive empire has dissolved. Democratized China will crush any independent attempt with even great ardor because it will not have the burden and stigma of Communism. Everything will be done according to the norms of a democratized regime. I am not saying China doesn’t need democracy, but it’s certainly not a pill for Tibet issue. Mr. Wang is too naive.