By Robert Sweeney
Despite
Chinese claims to Tibet and a desire for Tibetan resources, China's fear of
foreign powers and its stability fuels the struggle between Tibet and China.
The earliest interactions between Tibet and China occurred in the 7th
century during which Tibet was a considerably powerful force, being able to
conquer the Chinese city, Chang' an. (Han 2). After a brief struggle
between the two powers, both powers signed a treaty which stated, "'...the
whole region to the east of Daduhe is the country of Great China and the whole
region to the west of Daduhe is surely the country of Great Tibet.'" (Han
2). This treaty affirms China's acknowledgement of Tibet as independent.
In addition, the Dalai Lama has stated, "Tibetans are seeking enough
autonomy for Tibet to allow its culture to survive, rather than outright
independence.". (Tibetans 1). If China merely wanted Tibet for economic
exploitation, they could easily exploit Tibet while still granting them
autonomy, appeasing Tibetans.
Despite
the fact that China actually acknowledged Tibet as independent and Tibet could
be appeased and exploited simultaneously, China continues to pursue the
struggle out of fear and insecurity. China was a massive political power
throughout history, until the early 1800s. Once England began to exert
its influence in China, China's power diminished dramatically. Thus, China was
exploited by England during and after the opium wars and later by Japan during
World War II. (Stokes 3). After a century of exploitation, China regained
power and Tibet's resistance of China is viewed as a potential danger to that
power. Thus, China desires complete subordination of Tibet to display its
power to other nations.
While
China claims Tibet as Chinese territory and uses Tibet for its natural
resources, the struggle between Tibet and China stem from China's insecurities
and fear of invasion. A treaty signed by China and Tibet in the 8th
century recognizes Tibet as independent from China. In addition, Tibet
has declared it only desires autonomy, which China could use to justify its
exploitation of Tibetan resources. Both these circumstances support
Tibetan autonomy, yet China continues the struggle. China suffered severe
humiliation and exploitation by foreign powers and now that it has reclaimed
power, Tibet's resistance challenges China's power. Thus, China refuses to
acknowledge Tibet as an independent nation out of fear of being exploited by
foreign powers.
Han, I. A Study
of Tibetan-Chinese Political Relations 1950-2008. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. <http://total05.enetworks.jp/assets/files/d-kiyou/01-han.pdf>.
Stokes, Dustin. "Conflict over Tibet: Core Causes and Possible Solutions." Diss. University of Colorado, 2010. Beyond Intractability. The Beyond Intractability Project, 2010. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. <http://beyondintractability.colorado.edu/case_studies/conflict_over_tibet.jsp?nid=6830.
Tibetans Not for Outright Independence from China: Dalai Lama." The Times of India. 29 Apr. 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Tibetans-not-for-outright-independence-from-China-Dalai-Lama/articleshow/12918084.cms>.
Stokes, Dustin. "Conflict over Tibet: Core Causes and Possible Solutions." Diss. University of Colorado, 2010. Beyond Intractability. The Beyond Intractability Project, 2010. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. <http://beyondintractability.colorado.edu/case_studies/conflict_over_tibet.jsp?nid=6830.
Tibetans Not for Outright Independence from China: Dalai Lama." The Times of India. 29 Apr. 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/Tibetans-not-for-outright-independence-from-China-Dalai-Lama/articleshow/12918084.cms>.
PLEASE MAKE ME ONE OF THE CONTRIBUTORS ON YOUR BLOG. AS OF NOW I CANNOT POST YOUR QUESTION. jwilson@paramus-catholic.org
ReplyDeleteRob, I like your idea China’s fear of being viewed by the world as weak is the major contributing factor to the struggle between Tibet and China. But, you are forgetting about how the political struggle has affected the economic struggle. The two seem to go hand in hand, because China exerts most of its political control over Tibet’s economy. Though the Chinese claim that they are doing a great job of building Tibetan industrialization and creating greater revenue for the territory, they have not even allowed Tibetans to handle the economic affairs of their own region. Tibetans are expected to sit back and watch as China dictates how the economy will be shaped and what products Tibet will produce. Tibet is an agricultural region that can provide for subsistence farming but not much else. The Chinese government exerts its influence, “out of fear,” by single handedly controlling Tibet’s economy.
ReplyDelete- Jake
Rob, I agree that China oppresses Tibet because it has many fears and insecurities of foreign invasions, but this is also due to China’s need for Tibet’s natural resources and the communist governments’ negative views on religion. I understand that China is insecure of its reputation compared to other world powers because of its many years of weakness within the government. For example, Robert Bickers explains in his article “China’s Age of Fragility” that the Opium Wars and the sanction of the Treaty of Nanking of 1842 began a period of apparent weakness and humiliation within the Chinese government (29). Although this is a leading contributor to the oppression, China’s increasing need for natural resources is one of the major reasons for the oppression, and it strengthens your argument. China’s massive population has used up so much of their own natural resources for years that these resources are becoming exhausted, including the country’s decreasing water supply. “Each year China uses 40 billion cubic meters of water —five to seven times the amount used in Southern California— more than its resources can sustain (Jeffrey Hays).” This need for natural resources can be a sign of encroaching weakness, and therefore, China wants to expel these signs by exploiting a weaker country’s abundant resources in order to sustain the growing population. The other major contributor to the oppression is the Chinese Communist Party’s belief that religion is a threat to the government and has caused it to place many limitations on the practice of religion. Therefore, it has resulted in the Fourteenth Dalai Lama’s exile and the Tibetans’ many protests for their religious freedoms. You have a very strong argument, and I agree with the points you’ve made concerning the political factors causing the oppression, but you have to recognize these two other major factors contributing to this crisis within Tibet.
ReplyDelete-Victoria
Sweeney, I strongly agree with your argument, and the way you highlighted political issues was very good and very well proved, with great detail of certain circumstances. Although you stated information about the political reasons for struggle, you lacked a strong argument about the social reasons for many struggles between Tibet and China. You failed to mention the Dalai Lama's self exile after a failed uprising against communist China. The Dalai Lama is a strong authoritative figure within Tibet, and with a lack of a leader, Tibet was basically left defenseless against any type of invasion or threat. Although you lacked any social reason behind the hostility between the two nations, your argument not only proved to be insightful, but it aided in providing strong evidence towards an argument favoring Tibet's political struggles as a nation.
ReplyDelete-Cristian
All of you provide a string argument for your reasons as to why the tension between Tibet and China exists. While I still strongly believe that China’s insecurity is a major reason for the struggle, I understand that such a statement neglects the other issues occurring. Jake is absolutely right in his statement about the relationship between the political and economic struggle, as well as Victoria’s and Cristian’s statements about the Dalai Lama’s exile. China’s insecurity is affected by and affects China’s political and economic change in Tibet. Being that the Dalai Lama is the political and religious figurehead; his exile is a result of the political change in Tibet and results in religious struggles. Thus, the political, economic, religious, and social issues are all intertwined.
ReplyDelete