In politics, what is said and what is understood can often be two completely different things; with interpretation being often based on what suits the agendas and not what is conveyed. China, Tibet and the recently concluded 90th birth anniversary celebrations of the spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, being a case in point.
In the preceding week of celebrations, the Dalai Lama riled China again by stating that his non-profit institution, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, had the sole authority to recognise his successor. In a clear snub to China, his stance was backed by the Government of India in no time. Making its position clear, the GoI said that the matter of legitimacy and determination of the next incarnation could only be determined by the current Dalai Lama and the conventions established by him.
Both statements attempt to put to rest the growing concerns about succession issues and political speculations in the wake of China’s louder claims to authority over selecting the next incarnation. The spiritual leader, while flanked on the occasion by long-time supporters, including Western diplomats, Indian ministers and actor Richard Gere, put to rest any rumours of whether China would have a free run after him.
China didn’t get the message
The video messages sent by Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te, leaders of Indian states bordering Tibet, former US Presidents – Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton are a sign of solidarity with the spiritual leader. The video messages were played out at the event but more importantly has Beijing got the message that was meant for it? It seems not. Right on the day of the celebrations, China objected to Prime Minister Narendra Modi wishing the Dalai Lama on his 90th birth anniversary, while also raising a brow at Indian ministers who flocked to the residence of the spiritual leader in Dharamshala.
As reported by the Chinese state media, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that the country’s position on Tibet has been “consistent and well-known.” Ning further called the Dalai Lama a “political exile” and alleged that he has been involved in efforts to separate Xizang (Chinese name for Tibet) under the guise of religion. Ning also alleged that New Delhi was trying to use the Dalai Lama as a tool to interfere in China’s internal affairs and warned against doing so. The Chinese Embassy too protested against the Dalai Lama’s announcement on the issue of succession asserting that he had no authority to decide whether the institution should continue or be abolished.
Why does China claim succession?
The Dalai Lama is not just a holy figure for millions of Tibetan Buddhists but also an emblem of political resistance. He fled his native Tibet in 1959 in the aftermath of an unsuccessful uprising against Chinese rule. Along with thousands of Tibetans, he took shelter in India and has since advocated for a peaceful settlement on the issue — a way to seek autonomy and religious freedom for the people of Tibet.
Awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize, the Dalai Lama is revered as one of the most influential spiritual leaders with his reach extending beyond Tibet and Buddhism. China has called him a separatist leader and reiterated its position yet again this week.
China justifies its right on Tibet on the basis of a claim that Tibet has been a part of its territory dating back to the Tang Dynasty. The narrative has been time and again rejected by Tibet, including when the 13th Dalai Lama reaffirmed and declared the region’s independence in 1913 by expelling Chinese troops and officials. For the next close to four decades, Tibet remained an independent nation in its functioning and identity, from having its own government, foreign relations and making decisions without China’s interference. China, however, used the same justification of Tibet being a part of a Chinese dynasty for the forced military annexation in 1950 where Chinese troops forcibly captured the town of Chamdo.
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China uses a similar template in its approach to Arunachal Pradesh, claiming not only Tibet as its own but also Arunachal Pradesh as ‘Southern Tibet.’ Attempts at reinforcing its territorial claims either by renaming places in Arunachal Pradesh or redrawing political maps, have been unilateral and strongly dismissed by New Delhi. Which is why, India which has mostly stayed quiet on the issue of Tibet has lately started asserting itself.
Last year, Tibet’s struggle and China’s agenda were back in the headlines after the US Congress passed a bill supporting the Tibetan cause and also authoring funds to counter China’s ‘disinformation campaign.’
“This bill is a message to the Chinese government that we have clarity in our thinking on this issue, for the freedom of Tibet,” former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, minced no words. But China clearly missed the memo.
One year, a different President and a tariff war later, the Trump administration maintains a similar stance.
Earlier this week, amid tensions over tariffs, Beijing lashed out at the US but this time over Tibet. After Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday reiterating Tibetan people’s right to preserve their cultural and religious identity, China’s Foreign Ministry responded by saying that the “US was in no position to point fingers at the country on Tibet-related issues, urging Washington to recognise the sensitivity of the matter.” Around the same time, the US restored $6.8 million in funding for Tibetans in South Asia. Beijing, once again, intentionally ignored the underlying message.
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