Hi, I've lurked here for a while and created this account because this question is something I've been thinking about. Like most of you, I am worried about the new cold war on China by the West. That said though, on the question of Tibet I feel like some people can be inconsistent or intellectually dishonest about it...

I'm not saying we should balkanize China now in 2021 and I'm not a FREE TIBET fanatic, but I find it strange how so many on the anti-imperialist left (of which I'd consider myself a member) justify the initial annexation of Tibet in the 50s. Yes, I'm aware that Tibet used to be a much more backwards-ass place, and I'm not a fan of the Dalai Lama. But is the argument that it was OK because it made Tibet a better place to live in not basically a neocon sentiment ("we're bringing freedom and democracy")? Obviously neocons are not sincere about this kind of thing, but I'm of the position that unprovoked military occupation is pretty much always wrong.

Anyways, that's what I'm thinking about. Hoping this can open up a good discussion without things getting too heated lol.

  • Mardoniush [she/her]
    ·
    4 years ago

    There are criticisms to be made of China in Tibet, especially in the Dengist era. But the reuniting of the TAR with China is not one of them.

    Tibet had a long history of unification with China, albeit with considerable autonomy. Their Government was aligned with the KMT (who also wanted to unite them into China) and only ejected them once PRC control was clear.

    After that they attempted to join the Taiwanese government and refused to meet PRC representatives who offered them full political internal control in exchange for a recognition of Chinese sovereignty, and PRC control of defense and trade (Essentially what they had had until the collapse of the Empire.)

    It's hard given the curcumstances to regard Tibet as anything but a hostile KMT affiliated state on their border in a strategic position.

    There were plenty of other local regions under defacto independent warlord control in the inter war era. Was China equally wrong to absorb say Sinkiang?