Tibetan Unrest and the Dalai Lama: Narrative

Abstract

Historically and politically, harmonious Han-Tibetan relations had once been achieved during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). However, during the PRC era, especially since the Dalai Lama’s flight to India in 1959, the China–Tibet relationships have been worsening. Some Tibetans, especially those in exile, have been denying the Chinese rule over Tibet and believed that what the Chinese have done in Tibet is the real cause for the Tibetan unrest in and outside Tibet. In this chapter, the following incidents will be briefly narrated: (i) the Tibetan rebellion in 1959, (ii) the Tibetan unrest from 1987 to 1989, (iii) the Lhasa riots in 2008, and (iv) the self-immolation protests from 2009 to 2013. The focus is mainly on the causes and consequences of these incidents, with some further implications being given to the future of Tibet and its relations with China.

Annex

Timeline of the Tibetan unrest in and outside Tibet autonomous region (1955–2013)

1955:

Tibetans in Kham and Amdo (Qinghai) begin revolt against Chinese rule

1956:

Dalai Lama visits India for 2,500th anniversary of the Buddha’s birth. The United States begins to arm the Tibetan resistance via CIA

1959:

March 10: Several thousand Tibetans surround the Dalai Lama’s palace to prevent him from leaving or being removed. The huge crowd gathers in response to a rumor that the Chinese are planning to arrest the Dalai Lama when he goes to a cultural performance at the PLA’s headquarters. This marks the beginning of the uprising in Lhasa

March 12: Protesters appear in the streets of Lhasa declaring Tibet’s independence. Barricades go up on the streets of Lhasa, and Chinese and Tibetan rebel forces begin to fortify positions within and around Lhasa in preparation for conflict

March 15: Preparations for the Dalai Lama’s evacuation from the city are set in motion, with Tibetan troops being employed to secure an escape route from Lhasa

March 17: Two artillery shells land near the Dalai Lama’s palace, triggering his flight into exile

March 19: the Tibetan insurgent troops have reached 7000 people in Lhasa. They occupied the Potala Palace, the Norbulingka Yaowang Mountain and some key points in Lhasa, which encircles the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee representatives in Tibet from three directions

March 20–22: the Chinese PLA’s fight against the insurgency in Lhasa ends in victory, in which more than 5300 Tibetans are killed, and more than 8000 firearms, 81 heavy machine guns, 27 mortars, 6 artilleries, and 10,000,000 bullets are seized

April 4–9: The PLA Tibet military District uses four regiments of troops marches on to the south, and, after crossing the Yaluzangbu river, initiates the suppression of armed rebellion in the Shannan area

July 17: The Preparatory Committee for the Tibet autonomous region passes the “Resolution Concerning the Democratic Reforms”.

1960:

The first famine begins in Tibet

1961:

By the end of this year, the armed rebellion in Tibet, which lasts for nearly 3 years, is completely suppressed. In all the fights, the PLA annihilates more than 93,000 of Tibetan rebels and seizes more than 35,500 firearms, 70 artilleries, 41 radios

1963:

Foreign visitors are banned from Tibet

1964:

The Panchen Lama is arrested after calling for Tibetan independence

1966:

The Cultural Revolution reaches Tibet and results in the destruction of a large number of monasteries and cultural artifacts

1977:

Resistance burns 100 PLA vehicles in last major military operation

1979:

Tibet is opened to non-Chinese tourism for the first time since 1963

1985:

Bomb defuses in Lhasa during the 20th anniversary celebration of Tibet autonomous region

1987:

September 27: A demonstration occurs in Lhasa

October 1: Riots take place in Lhasa. Six people die, including a monk from the Sera Monastery, and two other Tibetans are injured. The demonstrators stoned the police and set a police station afire. Official says 19 policemen are hurt during the conflict

1988:

March 5: A revolt takes place at the celebration of the Great Prayer (Monlam Prayer Festival). The riots cost the lives of three persons according to Chinese sources

December 10: Further riots in Lhasa. According to official sources one person died; unofficial sources speak of twelve

1989:

January 19: Sentences are pronounced in consequence of the arrests made during the riots of 1988 with deterrent harshness. The sentences extend from 3 years imprisonment to the death penalty (with delay of execution)

On January 28, 1989, following the death of the Panchen Lama, the Chinese government took initiative to search for his successor (reincarnation); in the meantime, the Dalai Lama also decided to do the same job

February 6: Riots around Monlam and the Tibetan new year (Losar). Chinese authorities cancel the celebration of Monlam Qenmo, which precedes Losar each year

March 5: A religious event ends in a massacre. Official sources speak of 11 deaths and 100 wounded. The occasion for the massacre, according to Chinese sources, is the stoning of a Han Chinese police officer

March 6: Riots spread to the center of Lhasa. Han Chinese stores are wrecked and as a result a state of emergency is called

March 7: All foreigners including journalists are evacuated from Tibet.

1990:

China lifts martial law in Lhasa 13 months after imposing it. The Voice of America initiates a Tibetan-language broadcast service

1995:

The Dalai Lama recognizes 6-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama. China denounces the Dalai Lama’s choice of Panchen Lama as a “fraud” and selects rival candidate Gyaincain Norbu by golden urn process

2008:

March 14: Violence starts in Lhasa in Tibet when police cars, fire engines, and other official vehicles are set on fire as anger erupts following the police’s dispersal of a peaceful demonstration. Rioters attack Han and Hui passers-by and burned down Han- or Hui-owned businesses. Police use tear gas and cattle prods to quell the riots. According to the Tibet regional government, 18 civilians and 1 police officer have been confirmed dead in the unrest. In addition, the number of injured civilians rises to 382, of whom 58 are critically wounded. 241 police officers are injured, of whom 23 are critically wounded

March 15: The Tibetan riots spread outside of the Tibet autonomous region for the first time. Demonstrations by ethnic Tibetans and monks take place in the northwest province of Gansu

2009:

January: Chinese authorities detain 81 people and question nearly 6,000 alleged criminals. In March, China marks flight of Dalai Lama with new “Serfs’ Liberation Day” public holiday

February 27: Tapey, a young monk of Kirti Monastery sets himself on fire in Aba of western Sichuan; saved

October: China confirms that at least two Tibetans have been executed for their involvement in anti-China riots in Lhasa in March 2008

2011:

March 16: A monk of Kirti Monastery sets himself on fire in Aba; died

August 15: A monk of Nyitso monastery sets himself on fire in Kham Tawu; died

September 26: Two monks of Kirti Monastery set themselves on fire in Aba; details unknown

October 3: A monk of Kirti Monastery sets himself on fire in Aba; saved; October 7: Two former monks of Kirti Monastery set themselves on fire in Aba; died. October 15: A former monk of Kirti Monastery in Aba; saved. October 17: A Nun of Mame Dechen Chokorling in Aba; died

October 25: A monk of Kardze Monastery sets himself on fire in Kardze, Amdo; status unknown

November 3: A nun in Tawu, Kardze sets herself on fire; died. November 4: A layman sets himself on fire outside Chinese embassy in New Delhi, with minor burns

December 1: An ex-monk of Karma Monastery sets himself on fire in Chamdo; died

2012:

January 6: Two youths set themselves on fire; details unknown. January 8: One man, details unknown, sets himself on fire. January 14: A former monk of Andu monastery sets himself on fire in Aba; deceased

February 3: Three laypersons; unconfirmed, set themselves on fire. February 8: A former monk of Kirti Monastery sets himself on fire in Aba; died. February 9: A monk of Lab Monastery sets himself on fire in Tridu town, Yushu, Qinghai; condition unclear. February 11: A nun of Mame Dechen Chokorling sets herself on fire in Aba; died. February 13: A monk of Kirti Monastery sets himself on fire in Aba; status unknown. February 17: A monastic official of Bongthak monastery sets himself on fire in Themchen, Tsonub, Amdo; died. February 19: A layman sets himself on fire in Dzamthang, Amdo; died

March 3: A girl from Tibetan middle school at Maqu county, Gansu sets herself on fire; died

March 4: A person whose occupation unknown sets himself on fire in Aba; died. March 5: A person whose occupation unknown sets himself on fire in Aba; deceased. March 10: A monk of Kirti Monastery sets himself on fire in Aba; died. March 13: A monk of Rongpo monastery sets himself on fire in Rebkong, Amdo; status unknown. March 16: A monk of Kirti Monastery sets himself on fire in Aba; died. March 17: A farmer sets himself on fire in Rebkong, Amdol; died. March 30: Two monks of Tsodun monastery set themselves on fire in Barkham, Amdo; status unknown

May 31: A former monk sets himself on fire in Kathmandu, Nepal; saved.

November 19: Two persons set themselves on fire in Tongren county, Qinghai province

2013:

February 19: Two persons set themselves on fire in Aba prefecture, Sichuan province; died

April 24: Two monks of Kirti Monastery set themselves on fire in Ngaba in northeastern Tibet died after setting themselves on fire

July 21: A Tibetan monk Kunchok Sonam, aged at 18, died after setting himself on fire in Aba prefecture, Sichuan province