China's version of Tibet's story
Here in Beijing, unless you happen to be locked away in a safe, you'll know what day it is. The Chinese government recently designated 28 March as Serfs' Emancipation Day - the day on which the Dalai Lama's rule in Tibet was officially dissolved in 1959. China has decided that this new holiday will celebrated every year from now on in Tibet.
This holiday is part of a major effort by China to advertise this country's narrative of events in Tibet - a storyline which differs dramatically from how Tibet is seen in the West. In China's view, Tibet was liberated when the Dalai Lama fled in 1959 - downtrodden serfs were freed from medieval bondage, and Tibetans now enjoy unprecedented freedom and prosperity under the care of the Chinese Communist Party.
In recent days, Chinese TV stations have broadcast in peak time a series of special programmes about Tibet. One Chinese blogger, He Caitou, writes that cinemas are running a trailer about life in Tibet - and how good it is. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has been particularly keen to convey China's position. (At a recent briefing, a BBC colleague asked a tough, specific question about Tibet. The spokesman gave a six-minute reply which didn't answer the question. My colleague was then handed two DVDs explaining China's view on Tibet.)
On the eve of Serfs' Emancipation Day, China's most senior leaders all trooped to a museum in Beijing to visit an exhibition entitled "50th Anniversary of Democratic Reforms in Tibet". (Their presence was deemed so serious that the museum was closed down for the day.)
Serfs' Liberation Day itself began with official celebrations in the Tibetan capital Lhasa. It's important to stress that the BBC is unable to travel independently to Lhasa to report on this event - or on any other aspect of Tibetan life. China currently prevents foreigners from visiting the region. The Chinese Foreign Ministry occasionally organises carefully supervised tours for selected members of the foreign media - but the BBC, along with many other major news organisations, has not been selected for some time. Therefore, we're unable to gather first-hand testimony from people in Tibet.
MUSEUM EXHIBITION
This afternoon a colleague and I went along to the Tibet exhibition in Beijing. We shuffled through the exhibits along with hundreds of others (attendance may have been helped by the fact that entry was free). A collection of senior colonels from the People's Armed Police diligently followed a guide with a loudspeaker.
The exhibition begins with a display of life in Tibet before Communist rule - "a feudal serfdom under the despotic theocratic rule of officials, lamas and nobles" according to the guidebook. One exhibit shows serfs living in a pigsty while their masters dine in luxury in a nearby palace.
The exhibition goes on to argue that life dramatically improved for Tibetans after the Dalai Lama (sometimes referred to as just "Dalai") fled into exile in 1959. "Millions of serfs and slaves in the region were thus no longer chattel for trade and barter, but masters of their own fate and of the nation."
Further exhibits show off the joys of modern Tibet - a high-speed rail-link with Beijing, hospitals, crates of beer, smiling ex-serfs tilling the fields.
One section focuses on the Tibetan protests of March 2008 under the title "The Restoration Fantasy of the Dalai Clique" - together with extracts of Western media reports in order to illustrate what China describes as "Distorted Coverage".
A quick look at the guestbook on the way out makes it clear that China's narrative is pretty popular with its own people ...
"No foreign force can stop the progress of Tibet."
"Only the great Communist Party of China can liberate millions of serfs."
"Any force which tries to split Tibet is doomed to failure."
PANCHEN LAMA
It's clear that China has already won over the overwhelming majority of its own population. But for China, a new holiday, a museum exhibition, and a series of tv programmes may not be enough to win over the West.
The Communist Party's biggest obstacle in this regard is the Dalai Lama. How do you go up against a charismatic, world-famous English-speaking monk who preaches peace and calls for freedom in Tibet ?
If you were the Communist Party, you'd want a Dalai Lama of your own. That's exactly what the Party is trying out. It has its own alternative to the Dalai Lama - another English-speaking Tibetan monk who also preaches peace, but who insists that there is already freedom in Tibet.
This monk is 19-year-old Gyaltsen Norbu. In 1995, he was chosen by the Communist Party as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, second only to the Dalai Lama in the hierarchy of Tibetan Buddhism. (The boy chosen by the Dalai Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, was taken into custody by the Chinese authorities. He has not been seen in public since.)
Earlier today, Gyaltsen Norbu delivered a speech in English at
the opening ceremony of the Second World Buddhist Forum held in eastern China.
On Monday he wrote an editorial on freedom in Tibet for the main Communist Party newspaper, the People's Daily.
A speech in English and a newspaper editorial in the same week come after years in which Gyaltsen Norbu was rarely seen in public. It looks like the Chinese Communist Party is keen to introduce this 19-year-old monk to the world as its rival and alternative to the 73-year-old Dalai Lama.
I’m 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~40~RS~)
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
The Dalai Lama has declared that he seeks "genuine autonomy" not just for Tibet, but also the neighbouring provinces of Gansu, Yunnan, Qinghai and Sichuan. This constitutes one quarter of Greater China's landmass. Also, Tibet is the source for all of China's major rivers. Thus, from a geo-strategic viewpoint, whoever controls this particular area controls the rest of China.
In my opinion, there is no way any Chinese government, Communist or otherwise, would ever let "free", in the sense of independence. However, that is not to say that there shouldn't be an open forum with which to discuss the apparent grievances that a minority of Tibetans have.
Complain about this comment
"This holiday is part of a major effort by China to advertise this country's narrative of events in Tibet - a storyline which differs dramatically from how Tibet is seen in the West."
James, you sounds like your "western view" must be right?
not everyone believes the lies from BBC for example.
while you are complaining that western jurnalist cant go to lhasa freely, do you realise it is because the lies you are spreading which plays a role in causing tibet instability.
"...extracts of Western media reports in order to illustrate what China describes as "Distorted Coverage". "
and yet, even BBC have "tried" to apology for fake reports together with edited images or images from elsewhere(nepal?), you! still thinks that these were the western truth?
on the bright side, CNN since the fake report and images events have learnt their mistake, they are much more sincere with tibet coverage and much more neutral when it comes to controversy part.
so why does BBC have so much interest in tibet since British invasion of tibet in 1903?
Complain about this comment
1. Western media did give "distorted coverage" of the events in March, 2008.
2. Keeping BBC out of XinJiang is like trying not to get audited by the taxman. You know they're already convinced they'll find something wrong, why bother welcoming them into your files? Why British media considers fault-finding in regions of China a matter of "right" so fundamental as to merit unfettered access is beyond me. I doubt XinHua has such like fundamental access to all parts of governmental relations within the U.K.
3. Again, the implicit allegations of undue influence by Beijing on the Panchen Lama is no more serious than undue influence that will be exerted by Tibetan separatists upon the next Dalai Lama, who is surely to be a child. It's unfair to assert that only Beijing is trying to win the game here, when the rules of the game are inherently Tibetan (i.e. pass absolute rule to easily influenced children, pander to the West to market/advertise your position and political agenda).
4. The West's continued bias on this issue is simply helping Beijing to create a new generation of Chinese who, at least on this issue, grow increasingly weary and mistrustful of Western intentions. In attempting to win the "battle" in Tibet, the West has lost sight of the overall goals in the "war" (i.e. to convince the hearts and minds of the Chinese people that democracy is superior to CPC governance).
Complain about this comment
I am a Chinese from Hong Kong, China. This is my first post on BBC.
Quote: ".....How do you go up against a charismatic, world-famous English-speaking monk who preaches peace and calls for freedom in Tibet ?"
Well, in the eyes of the Chinese, Dalai Lama is nothing more than a political actor, a puppet of the West. And Tibetans are just natives in our Tibetan region.
It's funny that Westerners care so much about a region and its people in the Far East, while ignoring the rights and well-being of the natives in North America, Australia and New Zealand.
James, if you are so rightous and so eager to voice out for the Tibetans, should you also give a hand to the poor, suppressed Native Indians, First Nations People, Aborigines and Maori? Perhaps you could help them "Free North America, Australia and New Zealand" as well???
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
As for me, I also don't like the western reporters to go interviewing freely now. If the western reporters want to visit Tibet, first you should ask yourself : do you have some biases in you mind? If you do have your biases, you can not see the truth and tell the truth. You just want disort the fact as you like and stir up turmoils for our country! We disblieve you westerners! Have we, our country do some harms to your countries?! Have we intervene in the matters in your countries?! But how about you guys? How about you counties?!
Shut up yourself on the matters of Tibet!
Stop fingering to the matters of China!
Complain about this comment
James,
as an oversea Chinese who have backpacked through remote areas of Tibet, I can say that the Communist Party have done some terrible things, but also good things as well such as communications and road building. There needs to be a balance to everything.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Do you believe that people can select where is he born in his next life(if people really have)?
Dalai Lama said he can.
Dalai Lama is a liar. if you have normal mind, you will admit it.
Complain about this comment
“…Therefore, we're unable to gather first-hand testimony from people in Tibet.” It sounds that nobody knows anything about lifeof Tibet. We heard Western reports about Tibet from time to time.Most of times, they interviewed with monks. It is interesting that
they have never interviewed students in XiZhuang University at Lhasa. One would think that Tibetan students would be more critical about the current situation. Perhaps, it is politically incorrect even mention the existence of the university in Tibet.
Western reporters may not even want to interview elementary school teachers in Tibet. Schools were targets of last year's riot. These teachers would complained that the Chinese government gave too much money to these lamaseries and pay too high the salaries to monks (YES! These monks are paid by the government----James, may
be you can check this simple fact). They will complain that why the monks salary is higher than school teachers’. Why were school aged boys are allowed in lamasery instead of in school. One of my Tibet friends now teaches in the XiZhuang University. She would tell you the government’s policy to allow rapid expansion of one branch of religion is ridiculous. The money would be better spent in education and job training for ordinary Tibetans.
I doubt that the West news would be interested in such stories. Surely they would not be interested in the opinion of my Tibet friends because most of them were formal slaves of the current so-called Free-Tibet movement. In 1998, when I visit Shanghai and
I met Zuma again since my college time. I was joking that Dalai Lama would be back to Lhasa. She was furious and literally said: over her dead body! Her family suffered generations under Dalai’s. She had never hidden her hatred toward the current Dalai Lama. Perhaps some reporters want to know why. Scholars knew for years
what Dalai Lama's rule in Tibet looked like. Unfortunately, it is difficult for news reporters to tell the story about it. There was a Tibetan delegation visited US a week ago (they are probably
still in US). These are Tibetans including one "Living Buddha". No doubt it is Chinese propaganda tour. But Western news will not interview them when they are in US even though they maintain that they could not freely interview people from Tibet. These people are Tibetans who still live in Tibet and visit the West. They
could tell their side story. However, who would like to be called a Chinese propaganda tool? So best thing to do is not to even mention there are such delegations.
Complain about this comment
James:
The Communist Party's biggest obstacle in this regard is the Dalai Lama. How do you go up against a charismatic, world-famous English-speaking monk who preaches peace and calls for freedom in Tibet ?
I have to agreed with the Chinese aspect and, answer the question: That they want their own "Dalai Lama"...
~Dennis Junior~
Complain about this comment
Tibet's issue is the issue of China, the Westerners should keep away from interfering in the internal affairs of China with regard to Tibet. China does not require to win over or to impress the West over the issue of Tibet, just like the West does not need to impress or win over China when they deal with their own political or financial problems.
Dalai Lama, besides English speaking and peace preaching in the West, what contributions did he ever make to the betterment of the wellbeing of the people in Tibet or the latest social or economic developments in Tibet after he had fled to India in 1959?
Complain about this comment
"History is written by the victors," Winston Churchill said.
In the issue of Tibet, China is the victor. Therefore, China's version of Tibetan history is the "RIGHT HISTORY", whether Tibetans in Exile or the West like it or not.
It's just like:
American history is written by Americans,
Canadian history is written by Canadians,
Australian history is written by Australians,
New Zealand history is written by New Zealanders,
whether Native Indians, First Nations People, Aborigines and Maori like that or not.
Complain about this comment
Telling the truth is just as hard for the Chinese government as for the Euro-centric media when it is about China and Tibet.
I have never read anywhere that the Dalai Lama and his government told the world what Tibet was like before 1959? Especially, what was life like for majority of the Tibetan population? It’s an reasonable assumption that Dalai Lama would know it would for sure make him immensely unpopular for him to gain support for his political campaign against the Chinese if he ever admitted the truth that he was indeed the biggest slave-owner in Tibet before 1959.
So why is it so hard for the Euro-centric media to tell the truth about Tibet and China then? For some odd unknown reasons, Euro-centric media like BBC made a political, not professional, decision to believe the lies by Dalai Lama, not the truth by the Chinese.
I have been to Tibet twice in the late 80s’ and met with many Tibetans from all walks of life. On many topics about Tibet, including the serfs, the truth is with the Chinese.
This piece of blah blah about China and Tibet by Mr. Reynolds, is a typical mouthpiece of BBC: expected to be Sino-Tibet history dummy but shall never comprise on showing the Euro-centric supremacy between words by down playing or simply looking down on whatever the Chinese have to say.
Complain about this comment
is Dala Lama is charismatic, world-famous English-speaking monk ? Give me a break, he is a world-famous broken English-speaking monk with a politic medieval religious approach against modern world, He is a puppet for US foreign policy to against communism and China. He is one of the most fool religious leaders in the world. It makes you wonder why the dullest people hang around his religions and "wisdom". Gives the whole thing a bad name. Glad Chinese authority stands out against him, plus majority Chinese people and Chinese Tibetan people against him. Dala lama 14th's leads going to nowhere, only run into himself at end.
Complain about this comment
I hope the debate would turn historical rather than political. If it's historical we Chinese win because we are in the right. If it's political then we will lost because we don't have freedom of speech on internationally.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
The absence of BBC in Tibet is not a big loss because it is not much better than the Chinese media in reporting Tibet anyway. In the west, access to all the info is free but most people are very ignorant about Tibet because they are just not bothered.
Complain about this comment
I've seen this picture showing this bold, dull concrete bridge for this high speed rail standing in this beautiful, heavenly Tibetan grassland. Is this what 'progress' means? I'm not sure why some people think CCP are the only people who can bring 'prosperity' to Tibet. Perhaps these people think they are just superior than the Tibetans that they should decide for them?? Sounds much like colonism to me. These people keep shouting how evil colonism and imperialism are, while, in fact they are the very ones who are real believers in these.
I wonder how these people would respond if the UK starts bragging about how they brought properity to places like Hong Kong and Singapore, and claim the UK had indeed 'liberated' these people from poverty.
If you study Chinese history enough, you find that whenever the China expanded its border, it's always written as some kind of glorious liberation or civilisation of the 'babarians'. Whenever the Chinese were defeated and had lands surrendered, it's always written as invasions from the barbarians. Surely some still remember the glorious days of Yuan dynasty, when the border extended to Hungary.
Complain about this comment
Shows CCP's Propaganda (brainwash?) Department doing a great job. With propaganda forced to people like this nationwide, it's not surprising how harmonious the society would become. We shouldn't be surprised how people would flood here with official CCP interpretation of Tibetan history either. This blog entry sort of explains how this happens.
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
When Dalai Lama said the freedom of Tibet, did he know the histroy of serfs in Tibet?
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
If China liberated Tibet, why Tibetans from all over the Tibetan plateau revolted against China in March 2008?
If China trully emancipated Tibetans why doesn't it show the happy faces of Tibetans to the world?
Why China blames Dalai Lama for all the problems in Tibet while they ruled Tibet with an iron hand for 50 years?
Complain about this comment
CCP now got nothing to do but to make a New Day as Serf Emancipation Day. It is not that Serfs are emancipated this year but more than 50 years back according to CCP. Why this year celebrate a New Day which should have been celebrated from 1959.
It is so simple that CCP got nothing to do to convey to the west that Tibet has been librated but in the west the stories of Tibet differs a lot.
There are hundred of serfs who risk their live crossing the Himalayan and seeking refugee in India and hundred and thousand who protest from March 2008 till now. Why?
If as per CCP, Serfs has been emancipated then why the serfs protest and risk they live to seek better freedom in India and else where.
CCP, Speak and live with the reality. You can make all the people fool at all the time.
Complain about this comment
"famous English-speaking monk who preaches peace and calls for freedom in Tibet?"
Simple questions ...
1. Did he use force before he "preaches peace"?
2. Did people have freedom when he was ruling?
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
"One section focuses on the Tibetan protests of March 2008... together with extracts of Western media reports in order to illustrate what China describes as 'Distorted Coverage'."
The swine. How dare they describe two minutes of news footage of Nepalese police beating Nepalese demonstrators in Nepal - presented on Canandian national news as 'another Chinese atrocity in Tibet' - as 'distorted'?
Complain about this comment
"How do you go up against a charismatic, world-famous English-speaking monk who preaches peace and calls for freedom in Tibet?"
Do you realise that you could have written "How do you go up against a charismatic, world-famous English-speaking monk who preaches peace and calls for freedom in Tibet, and has the mysterious power to plaster the western media with faked images of atrocities in Tibet that actually came from other countries?" - and it would still be 100% factually accurate.
Complain about this comment
the west might think china's propaganda is laughable.
but, equally, the west's version of tibetan life before 1950 is grossly distorted by tibetan-in-exil; and the west's fantasizing tibet to serve its own political agenda is also very devilish.
the so-called free and democratic tibet before 1950 had NEVER existed. before 1950, tibet was a theocratic and serdom society.
1 million native tibetan persecuted is a lie. the harsh environment forbidden the population to grow beyond 1 million before 1950, therefore, the number persecuted, proposed by the west, was grossly exaggerated.
after all, why care about the truth for tibet as long as tibet, in the west, can be served as an embarrassment to china.
tibetan issue can be a big farce to china, sorry, i don't think so.
bbc, giving up your biased attitude where "tibet right china wrong"; and i am sure most of chinese will welcome you to tibet.
sorry bbc, i am going to tibet this summer for holidays.
Complain about this comment
Please admit we are all prejudiced, please look at BBC's news about China. One of Your House Rules on comment doesn't permit "disrupt, provoke, attack or offend others", I agreed, but why BBC doesn't obey the rule?
You think you are right, and I think I am right, but you are immensely powerful, you are controlling the world's propaganda with your allies, please accept that.
Most of your news doesn't give readers' opportunity to comment it, and you think you are authorities? You have your own interest, your own strategy, and UK&US need you, sometimes in something, you are the mouthpiece.
News freedom? You really believe it? Think about what you did about news censorship, when you ruled Hong Kong. You didn't censor news? Maybe you reject it. OK, you didn't choose your items? yes, you did, and what your rules to choose items? Those rules are on your values not others’, and maybe you believe your values are more noble than others', yes you did, sometimes subconsciously. Please accept it. There is not only a god in the world, Jesus!
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
View these comments in RSS