US lawmakers' visit to Dalai Lama stirs tensions with Beijing. A look at the fraught China-Tibet history

A bipartisan delegation of lawmakers from the United States, led by Republican Representative Michael McCaul and including Democratic former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, arrived in the town of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday (18 June) to meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

This visit is part of an ongoing effort to push China to resolve the long-standing Tibet dispute. The delegation’s visit has sparked significant backlash from Beijing, coming at a time when the US and China are attempting to stabilise their rocky relationship.

The US delegation’s visit aims to discuss the recently passed ‘Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act,’ commonly known as the Resolve Tibet Act. The bill urges Beijing to engage in dialogue with Tibetan leaders, a process that has been stalled since 2010, to negotiate an agreement on Tibet’s future. The bill is now awaiting US President Joe Biden’s signature.

“We are very excited to see His Holiness tomorrow to talk about many things, including the bill we just passed out of Congress that basically says the United States of America stands with the people of Tibet,” McCaul had said. He confirmed that Biden would soon sign the bill into law.

Upon their arrival at Kangra airport, the delegation was greeted by crowds of Tibetans, including school children holding banners and dozens of monks and nuns in maroon robes, who cheered as the lawmakers made their way to meet the Dalai Lama.

Beijing’s reaction to the US visit

China has expressed serious concern about the visit of the US lawmakers to Dharamsala and the potential signing of the Resolve Tibet Act by Biden. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, stated, “We urge the US to fully recognise the anti-China and separatist nature of the Dalai clique, abide by its commitments on Tibet-related issues, refrain from any form of contact with it, and stop sending erroneous messages.”

He stated that Tibet’s affairs are purely internal matters for China and warned that Beijing would take “resolute and forceful measures” to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet, is viewed by Beijing as a dangerous separatist. Chinese officials have long been irked by his interactions with foreign officials, and the recent visit by the US delegation has further fueled their ire.

“It’s known by all that the 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion,” Lin added, urging the US side to “have no contact with the Dalai group in any form, and stop sending the wrong signal to the world.”

Despite Beijing’s protests, the Dalai Lama denies being a separatist and insists that he only advocates for substantial autonomy and the protection of Tibet’s native Buddhist culture under Chinese rule.

Historical context of China-Tibet relations

The conflict over Tibet’s status within China is deeply rooted in historical claims and political developments. China’s motivations for annexing Tibet in 1950 were both ideological and pragmatic.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aimed to shore up China’s southwestern border and access Tibet’s plentiful natural resources. Ideologically, the CCP viewed Tibet as a feudal-theocracy that needed “liberation” and believed that Tibet had always been a part of China, making its incorporation a historical necessity.

However, Tibet’s history is complex and distinct. Prior to the 1950 invasion, Tibet had existed independently of Chinese control, with its own unique culture, language, and religion. Even after the Qing dynasty established suzerainty over Tibet in 1720, Tibetans remained largely free of direct Chinese interference. Following the end of Qing rule in 1911, Tibet functioned as a de facto independent state until the Chinese invasion.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) crossed the Jinsha (Yangtze) River and entered Tibet on 7 October, 1950. By 19 October, they had captured Chamdo, neutralising the Tibetan garrison there. Over 3,000 Tibetans were made prisoners, and at least 180 died in the fighting. The defeat led to the signing of the Seventeen Point Agreement in May 1951, which effectively subordinated Tibet to China while promising to maintain Tibetan autonomy, culture, and religion.

Despite these assurances, Chinese interference in Tibetan affairs grew, leading to widespread unrest. By 1959, frustration with Chinese policies led to a revolt in Lhasa.

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Fearing arrest by the Chinese, the Dalai Lama fled to India on 23 March, 1959, repudiating the Seventeen Point Agreement and proclaiming himself Tibet’s legitimate representative. Since then, China’s control over Tibet has been absolute, with severe crackdowns on dissent and efforts to assimilate Tibetans into Chinese culture.

The role of the Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is revered by Tibetans worldwide as their spiritual leader. Since his exile in India, he has lobbied for Tibetan self-rule and substantial autonomy under Chinese sovereignty. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his efforts to resolve the Tibet issue peacefully.

The Dalai Lama has a history of engaging with US officials. He has met with every American president from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama, except for Donald Trump, and is yet to meet Joe Biden. These meetings have often led to stern condemnation from China, which views them as undermining its sovereignty and supporting Tibetan independence.

The recent visit by US lawmakers to Dharamsala is seen by China as part of a broader strategy by Washington to counter Beijing’s influence. This perception is compounded by the strengthening of US-India relations, with both countries viewing each other as counterweights to China’s rising power.

China’s tightening grip on Tibet

Since the 1959 uprising, China has tightened its grip on Tibet, implementing policies aimed at assimilating Tibetans and eradicating dissent. Beijing has facilitated the influx of Han Chinese into Tibet, changing its demographic and cultural landscape. The Chinese government has also installed its own people in key religious positions, further eroding Tibetan autonomy.

In recent years, China has also sought to control the process of selecting the Dalai Lama’s successor. Beijing insists that it has the right to approve the next Dalai Lama, a claim rooted in its historical role of endorsing Tibetan Buddhist leaders.

The Dalai Lama, however, has stated that his successor may be found outside Tibet, possibly in India, a move that Beijing strongly opposes.

What the future may hold

The ongoing tension between China and Tibet remains a significant issue in international politics. The US and other countries continue to express support for Tibetan autonomy and cultural preservation. The Resolve Tibet Act, if signed into law by Biden, will further solidify US support for the Tibetan cause and pressure China to engage in dialogue.

The Dalai Lama’s health remains a concern as he approaches his 89th birthday. He is expected to travel to the US for medical treatment, but it is unclear if he will meet with any officials during his visit. The question of his successor looms large, with the potential to further escalate tensions between China and the Tibetan exile community.

Also Read: With China willing to discuss ‘Dalai Lama’s future’, Tibetan fate hangs in balance

The historical context of China-Tibet relations, coupled with recent developments, has only underlined the complexity and sensitivity of this issue. The US, along with India continues to be focused on finding a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and aspirations of the Tibetan people.

With inputs from agencies