28 August 2021, NIICE Commentary 7337
Dr. Priya Suresh
Xi Jinping became the first Chinese President to visit Tibet in three decades. The last Chinese President who visited Tibet was Jiang Zemin in 1990. Xi’s visit to Tibet marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Tibet. Speaking in Lhasa, Xi urged the Tibetans to follow the socialist path. The latest Tibet Policy summarized in eight Chinese character that translate as ‘stability, ecology, development and border consolidation’, and sent a clear political message to US, India and to Dalai Lama. Xi’s three-day trip emphasized the peaceful liberation of Tibet and referred to the stationing of the People’s Liberation Army in the region in 1951. Xi prioritized the twin policy of Jiang Zemin-stability and development.
First, the trip began with his visit to a site of major Chinese military base in Nyingchi in the Southeastern Tibet. Strategically, Nyingchi is an important military transit connecting Tibet with the Chinese Mainland. The current work in progress- the high-speed Chengdu-Lhasa railway- will reduce the travelling time from the present 30 hours to 10 hours. The rail route is an important part of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway and a way forward towards the development of China’s military transport.
Second, the opening of the world’s largest human-genetic resources biological sample bank in Qinghai-Tibet plateau for medical research in plateau diseases. The plateau disease has been increasing among the people and treatments remain limited, hence this biological sample bank is expected to contribute towards the study of altitude sickness.
Third, China remains anxious about the popularity of Dalai Lama and Tibet remain a principal source of international vulnerability for China. The use of term ‘peaceful liberation’ establishes China’s legitimacy and authority over Tibet. It offers China a justification of its action and approach towards the region. China’s control on the region is much stronger when compared with Xinjiang or Hong Kong, but the support the Tibetans have gathered seems to be worrisome for China. This is also due to the political support or backing that the Tibetans receive from the US. Xi’s visit to Tibet resets China’s influence in the region and sends a strong message to US, India, and Dalai Lama. China seems to be mindful of the statuesque that the Tibetan government-in-exile only while the present Dalai Lama is alive. There is a greater international acceptance of ‘one-china policy’, but that could probably change. India-China standoff at Doklam 2017 may be an important cause for the shift.
Fourth, US approach could add a new dimension to Tibet. The US Congress in 2020 passed the ‘Tibet Policy and Support Act’ demanding China to allow US to set up a consulate in Lhasa and support Dalai Lama to choose his successor. Positive development between US-Tibet was noticed during the final days of Trump administration. A solace to China is that US continues to consider Tibet as a part of China. The New Sikyong Penpa Tsering has ensured to bring the Sino-Tibetan dialogue to the table. At the same time, the dialogue model is not something the Tibetan youth welcome. There is also greater proactiveness in the US on the Tibetan cause that provides financial and political support.
Fifth, China sees a more vocal Tibet more so with the issues of human rights violation. Deep concern runs amidst the Chinese Party echelons. The changing US-China dynamics has set a new contest over Tibet. The recent White Paper on Tibet probably could be seen through this lens. This the third White Paper on Tibet under Xi one in 2015, 2019 and the latest in 2021, the policy documents have been similar. The recent White Paper accentuated China’s tougher stand over the region, ensuring Chinese control over the selection of the next Dalai Lama.
Sixth, there is a greater paranoia for China over Tibet. Xi’s priorities in sync with the White Paper illustrate the importance of border question, and the way China perceives Tibet. Xi’s visit to Tibet included the Zhang Youxia, Deputy Chairman of the Chinese Military Commission, and 25-member strong Politburo. Addressing the troops in Lhasa, Xi signaled for greater war preparedness and called for strengthening the military along the Tibetan borders. The rarity of entourage during a domestic visit, the choice of place and its proximity to the contested territory of Arunachal Pradesh is a concern for India. It also demonstrates China’s track to achieve dominance in the Himalayan region. The contemporary Chinese policy emphasized the need to safeguard the frontiers- making frontier management the key to stability and Tibet remain an integral part of this strategy.
