China-Tibet Dispute, Historical Ties, Seventeen Point Agreement

China-Tibet Dispute

• Context (IE): China claimed Tibet was historically ruled as part of China. Tibet claimed that it was an independent state.

Historical ties between China and Tibet

• Tibet’s assimilation into China was established during the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368).
• It enjoyed considerable autonomy under the Yuan Dynasty.
• Following the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911, the 13^th Dalai Lama expelled Chinese troops stationed in Lhasa and declared independence in 1912, and Tibet essentially ruled itself until 1950.

Seventeen Point Agreement

• In 1950, China sent People’s Liberation Army troops to Tibet.
• In 1951, Tibet was occupied and annexed by the People’s Republic of China.
• In May 1951, Tibet and China signed the Seventeen Point Agreement.
• The agreement effectively subordinated Tibet to China.
  • It handed over all international affairs to China and allowed China to “reform” the economy.
  • China assured non-interference in domestic administration, Tibetan culture, and religion.
  • China promised to maintain Tibet’s traditional government and religion.
• However, China did not adhere to these principles and instead began to destroy monasteries and enforce collectivisation. They also interfered in Tibetan life, from schooling to cultural beliefs.
• Because of the Chinese interference, resistance in Tibet grew, resulting in the 1959 revolt.

1959 Revolt

• In 1959, the Dalai Lama led an uprising against Chinese rule.
• China suppressed the revolt, and its hold over Tibet has been absolute since then.
• The Dalai Lama and most ministers fled to northern India and established government-in-exile.
• Dalai Lama rejected the Seventeen Point Agreement and proclaimed himself as Tibet’s sole legitimate representative.
• In 1965, the Chinese government established the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR).

Current Status

• Currently, Tibet is divided administratively into:
  • Tibet Autonomous Region: controlled by China.
  • Parts of the Qinghai and Sichuan provinces: Mostly self-governed.
• No significant Western power has officially recognised Tibet as an independent nation.