Tibet Controversy

I'd like to thank you viewers for your comments and remarks, really appreciate them. And I'm having a great time sharing my thoughts and perspective on different topics. I've been holding off on writing about Tibet because there's just so much to say, and because I wanted to see how the events unfold a little bit. I'm gonna try to make the issues surrounding Tibet clear. Now....where to even begin...

There have been major protests around the world against China, but it's also interesting to note that Chinese people in Britain, Germany, and Canada have had their own protests against western media that they claim have been biased and reporting unfairly. And, on this particular occasion, it's probably true. If you actually look at what happened in 2008, who is doing the violence? Tibetans mobs have killed innocent Chinese civilians, destroyed many homes, looted businesses. There's no doubt that China has, and deserves, the rap for brutal military force both against Tibetans and their own people, but on this particular occasion, that doesn't seem to be the case. The Dalai Larma himself has even said he is embarrassed of the way his people have behaved and threatened to resign if they continue the violence. It's also interesting to note that the Chinese media itself is not fair, and the Chinese people's protests(that i mentioned above) would be not acceptable in their own country! So what this means is, those same Chinese people may be proud of their country, but they're still open, willing, and looking forward to reforms like freedom of press.

My personal opinion is that the Olympics is the one truly great opportunity where all nations can put aside differences, and celebrate the human spirit. It's a great opportunity to welcome nations and to learn about Nations. Remember, in 1964, there was still global distrust and resentment against Japan for it's crimes during WWII, the having the olympics in Tokyo exposed Japan to the world and helped to bring it into the circle of allied partners and players. Today, Japan is a major trading partner and political ally.

China, had similar goals with the Olympics. They want to be accepted into the circle of allied powers to promote trade and relationship. And most of the other countries wanted to welcome it, and continue to encourage and push China towards positive reform, that's why China won the Olympics. Now, somehow, protesters and anti-china people seem to have some backward logic, that by antagonizing and isolating China, it is more likely to have positive change.

I'd also like to quickly outline the issues about Tibet. I remember I was talking with a friend once about Tibet, and I asked "If you believe Tibet deserves independence, how is that different from Hawaii?". Her response was "well, because at least Hawaiians aren't starving and in poverty." To this day, I still cringe at this ignorant statement, because China has been extremely key to Tibet's economic growth. First, people tend to have this fantasy that before China invaded Tibet, Tibet was this thriving democratic country. Tibet was extremely backward before 1950(before China invaded), never expressed democratic intent, and was basically a fundamentalist government. More importantly, the issues at controversy have never been about economics, and they shouldn't. China pours billions of dollars into Tibet every year, building schools, roads, highways, railroads, etc. The economy has, for the past 10 years, grown at 12% per year, an incredible rate, and significantly higher than the average across China. GDP is over 30 times more than it was in 1950. Life expectancy has been raised, since 1950, from 35 to almost 70 years. Infant mortality rate has dropped from 44% to less than 1%. These are tremendous advances that people ignore. So if the issue isn't about economics, what is it about?

Victoria posted an analogy of Tibet, which I think is very good. Tibet has a long history of traditions and cultures, and sadly these simply will not exist in 50 years at the current rate of change. China tends to deny it, but it's true, Tibet's lifestyle and culture will not exist in 50 years the way we have known it. Chinese businessmen are pouring into Tibet, boosting the economy, but also slowly chipping away at Tibetan lifestyle and culture. As much as America might try to preserve Native American culture, it's basically gone. Traditional African culture in America is virtually gone. It's a bit sad, but this is the way things are. So this is the central issue that Tibetans worry about. And in my opinion, economics is too strong a force. It's not like most black people are demanding to be sent back to Africa, giving up economic benefits of living in america, to celebrate culture in their homeland. Tibetan youth are going to Chinese school system, watching Chinese media, and they will simply give up their efforts one day as the youth become more and more Chinese and start choosing economic welfare over tradition. So my point is, Tibetans definitely are correct that their culture is on the brink of extinction and it's easy to see why they would be upset about it, but constant bickering, antagonizing, and extreme ideology that will never be accepted by Chinese government isn't solving the problem.

There's basically no real reason Tibet should be part of China, other than historically they have been claimed by China. But that's true of most countries. From China's point of view, they have an attitude of "give Hawaii independence, give Quebec independence, give northern ireland freedom, give Okinawa freedom, give Australian native aborigines their land back, then come talk to us." Tibet has a lot of resources that China wants, so they will never give Tibet up based on that alone. Furthermore, China has long tried to build a multinational country, and most Chinese view Tibet as one of the central ethnicities that make up China has a country(along with Han Chinese, mongolians, manchurians, muslims, etc).

Also, it's important to note that, it's not like western countries have been friendly to Tibet. Before 1950, Britain invaded Tibet, and both Britain and Russia tried to force Tibet to sign unfair treaties. Also, there's sort of a misconception that Tibet has long had independence. Tibet had been claimed by China for something like close to a thousand years, and then had about 4 decades of freedom in between before being invaded by China again.

So i've noted some of the important facts surrounding Tibet. I'll give my opinion now. I Think Tibet deserves to be able to practice their religion freely. They can practice now, but there are certain restrictions(as with all other religions in China). The Dalai Larma and the Chinese government have got to suck it up, get together, and figure out a compromise. Both sides are way too proud, and they can't even freakin sit down and talk. Last week, China said they will negotiate with the Dalai Larma if he renounces ambitions for independence, but he has thus far refused. I think you gotta be more pragmatic here because let's face it.... No foreign countries are gonna start a war with China just to free Tibet....China is never gonna give up the resources in Tibet....So you gotta realize that and do what you can to provide for the Tibetan people. Extreme ideology like demanding independence isn't getting anywhere, and doesn't give more autonomy or religious freedom. I feel for the Tibetan people, I want them to preserve their culture, but their actions are irrational and have not solved anything.