Chinese Leadership Divided On Tibet Issue


DHARAMSALA, DIIR, 22 March 1999 - In an unprecedented development, Chinese diplomats are pitted against the State Council over how to handle the issue of Tibet and what policy to adopt towards the Dalai Lama, according to delayed reports from China.

The reports speak of a closed-door conference in Beijing in October 1998, during which officials of Chinese missions in Europe asked their government to improve relations with Dharamsala, reasoning that the Dalai Lama had made it clear he was not seeking independence for Tibet. Beijing's refusal to adopt a liberal stance towards the Dalai Lama, they said, was damaging the image and prestige of China in Europe. China's State Council rejected this suggestion, stating that the "Dalai Lama is a political fugitive and · the Central Government's policy towards the Dalai Lama is clear."

Hardliners in Beijing contend that as long as the Dalai Lama is alive, China should merely feign interest in negotiating with him. "This will help us build our international image and buy time. ·The issue of Tibet hinges solely on the person of the Dalai Lama, who is now nearing 65 years of age. When he is dies, the issue of Tibet will also die."

At the other end of the spectrum, a section of liberal Chinese leaders want to see the Tibetan issue resolved during the lifetime of the Dalai Lama. They argue that in the absence of the Dalai Lama, China will not find a leader, who enjoys the loyalty of all the Tibetan people, to negotiate with. This, they believe, will create unmanageable problems for China in the future. They are concerned that the avenue for peaceful negotiation may not remain once the Dalai Lama is gone.

Kalon T.C. Tethong, a member of the Tibetan cabinet, said that the hardliners' policy of waiting for the passing away of His Holiness the Dalai Lama would prove to be disastrously short-sighted. Kalon T.C. Tethong said, "His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the solution to China's Tibet problem. If the Chinese leaders consider him a problem, then they will miss the opportunity for resolving the Tibetan problem."

Department of Information and International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration
Gangchen Kyishong
Dharamsala 176215
INDIA

[ Homepage ] [ NewsRoom ]



This site is maintained and updated by The Office of Tibet, the official agency of His Holiness His Holiness the Dalai Lama in London. This Web page may be linked to any other Web sites. Contents may not be altered.
Last updated: 22-Mar-99