The announcement by His Holiness the Dalai Lama of the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama, and the sharp reactions from China that followed, have reignited global attention on the Tibetan people’s decades-long struggle for independence. Owing to British self-interest during the Second World War and the US rapprochement with Communist China during the Cold War to counter the USSR—alongside China’s economic rise—much of the world today either accepts the Chinese narrative of Tibet being historically part of China or avoids the issue altogether. Few are aware that in the 7th and 8th centuries, Tibet was a military power with an empire that stretched to Khotan in Central Asia. This paper explores the question of what contributed to the current subjugation of Tibet. How legitimate is China’s assertion of historical sovereignty? How effective have the current Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile been in their endeavours? The paper will also outline ways by which the international community can support Tibet’s aspirations for autonomy and self-determination.
The Tibetan Quest for Independence: A Historical Overview and an Exploration of the Future
