Despite international criticism, the Chinese government seems determined to suppress any talks of Tibetan autonomy. That is not too surprising considering China's desire to eliminate any traces that Tibet was once an independent country. Another thing to consider is that Hu Jintao, the current President of China and leader of the Communist Party, was once the Party Boss for Tibet. Mr. Jintao's handling of Tibetan unrest in 1989 helped to raise his stature in the eyes of the Communist Party. To admit that Tibet was an independent country, or admit the Chinese have been engaged in brutal acts of repression against native Tibetans would mean that China and it's President may have to admit to this repression. This would mean a loss of face for China and the President and that is something the Chinese take very seriously.

During the time of Mr. Jintao's rule over Tibet, the Panchen Lama, the second highest spiritual leader of Tibet, died suddenly after delivering a speech critical of the Chinese Government. Was he killed by the Chinese? I don't know, there is not enough information available to examine that topic. But there are some important ramifications of his death.

Traditionally in Tibetan Buddhism, the Panchen Lama is the one who identifies the next Dalai Lama and the Dalai Lama is the one who identifies the next Panchen Lama. With the death of the Panchen Lama in 1989, there are two claims to the title of Panchen Lama. The current Dalai Lama, in keeping with Tibetan tradition, named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima the next Panchen Lama. But the atheist government of China has claimed that Gyancain Norbu is the next Panchen Lama. Gyancain Norbu is the son of a Communist party official.

Do you see what's going on? The Chinese government has installed a Panchen Lama that will be groomed by the communist party and the Panchen Lama is the one who identifies the next Dalai Lama, gee you think that may be another son of a Communist Party official? Never mind the fact that an atheist government is claiming the authority to select a Buddhist priest. That would be like having the former Soviet Union decide who the next Pope will be.  The Chinese are methodically erasing Tibet's identity as an independent nation and the current President HU Jintao has been a part of that process for a long time. I think it would take a lot more than just boycotting the opening ceremonies to the Olympic games to get China to stop this process. I don't think the West has the will to apply the kind of pressure needed to get china to change. We would have to be willing to give up access to the precious Chinese markets and cheap goods.

Maybe there is a more subtle way that Western powers could negotiate with China to allow autonomy for Tibet. China might be more willing to listen to a proposal that would allow them to save face in exchange for Tibet's autonomy. But there is no guarantee that they would follow up on their part of the bargain. China is well known for dragging their feet on their promises once they have gotten what they want.

The following link has an interesting article about China and Tibet:

China:Lessons from Tibet

- Thomas Paine 2

Technorati Tags: China, Free Tibet, Hu Jintao, Tibet