RESTRICTIONS ON ENTRY TO TIBET
While in Kathmandu recently I met people travelling in large parties with European passports. In each party there were people who were refused entry to Tibet because they had Tibetan sounding names. Of these people two were Swiss ladies in a party of 15 who were refused entry because of their Tibetan sounding names and their names were removed from the travel permit, but their husbands were permitted to travel. They were told that people with Tibetan sounding names would not be permitted to travel into Tibet. Both of these ladies had Swiss passports. The Swiss Embassy in Kathmandu wrote letters for the ladies confirming their Swiss citizenship but they still could not gain access to Tibet because of their Tibetan sounding names. This is like someone called Jones being unable to travel to England from Wales (if we had borders), because it is not an English sounding name! What is China frightened of?

A Jones, Leicester, UK

Thank you Wendy, UK and Tim, HK.

To those who think Tibet "rightfully" belongs to China or that this an issue between a Western perspective versus Eastern ideologies, you need to get your facts straight first. This is a basic question of what is right and what is wrong.

The Chinese govt's claim on Tibet dates back to Kublai Khan's subjugation of parts of China. As far as Im concerned, China's take over is only as valid as Kublai Khan's rules being applied by the PROC today.

Tibet's economy is not "faring better" because China took over. It's China's economy that's benefiting from Tibet. With a projected 3.5 million tourists by the end of 2007? Come on.

Its pretty obvious whose on the winning end. With China's still-growing 1.3 billion population and picturesque Tibet sitting conveniently on its big land area, go figure.

Barbs, Manila, Philippines

The Tibet situation is extremely worrying. There is more to the situation that just political power gained by the Chinese. There is a huge Human Rights issue. Many many Tibetans incarcerated, thousands unable to follow the way of life they were born to. Many many thousands of Tibetan's starved under Mao's agricultural policy that decreed they should grow wheat instead of barley in conditions unsuitable for the crops to grow. Countless numbers of Tibetans have died for love of their religion and their spiritual leader. China brought unnecessary war and unrest to a peaceful land, brought tacky clubs and red light districts to Lhasa, uranium dumps, poverty, violence. Tibetans cannot live or work without Chinese permits, cannot observe their religious traditions unless there are Chinese soldiers present , they cannot learn their own language and traditions at schools, if that is China's idea of modernising then the world is in a truly sorry state. Let Tibetans live in peace again.

Wendy, Hull, UK

Alan, what do you mean by 'as it is known to all'? This obviously reflects exactly a phrase you have been taught at school in China. This is a difference between what ought to be and what is the case. Tibet is, unfortunately, recognised and beleived, by the Chinese government, to be a part of Chinese territory, but it ought to be independent.

Tim, Hong Kong, China

Yin Yang of Beijing, you make me laugh. So what if the DD was in China in the 1950s? It is well documented in His Holiness' autobiography. He went to meet Mao and appeal to him directly.

What is your point??? Duh!!!

Dechen, London, UK

With a written history of more than 2000 years, Tibet existed as an independent sovereign state prior to Chinese rule. As recently as 1914, a peace convention was signed by Britain, China and Tibet that again formally recognised Tibet as a fully independent country. But having no representation in the United Nations, the world largely stood by and allowed China's occupation and destruction to happen.
Tibetans have demonstrated repeatedly for independence from China. Ours has been a non-violent struggle, yet even when Tibetan children as young as ten whisper the words "Tibet is independent" or "Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama", the Chinese accuse them of trying to "split" the "motherland" and often sentence them to prison. Possessing an image of the Tibetan national flag can lead to a seven- year jail term. As of 1998, 1083 known Tibetans remain incarcerated in Chinese prisons on account of their political, religious or ethical views. Of these, 246 were women and 12 were juvenile

Sonam, London, UK

The reincarnation process has never been a pure spiritual matter. They were ridden with power struggles among interest groups within the high rank circles in Tibet. (Any current Dalai Lama can not appoint his successor; the process starts when he is dead). Each interest group tried to find the one particular "living Buddha" candidate that they could later manipulate or at least influence. The Chinese central government, played a key role in the process and kept the religion as an entity and prevented its splitting, potential fighting and killing among interest groups. As you all know, two Popes were established, and that was how the Catholic Church split. The Chinese central government, the emperors in imperial China, and Chiang Kaishek, then president of Republic of China, had THE final say on who was the real reincarnated "Buddha. Tenzin Gyatso was never born (in 1935) as the "living Buddha", he was appointed as one by Chiang Kaishek, then president of Republic of China in 1940

Yin Yang, Beijing , Communist China

I wonder who finances these protestors.
I also wonder why they do not unfurl banners
at the Statue of Liberty decrying the
occupation of Irag. I'd say that the Chinese
would soon free them, but it would take much
more courage in America where they could
be locked up for years without charge as
terrorists and put under no-fly list forever.
Laws whether we like it or not should be
obeyed. For example, we don't like to pay taxes.
Respected media like yours should
not give them any exposure.
As everyone knows the Tibetans are much
better off now. And those Tibetans living
abroad contribute nothing, but make a
career out of racist and unverifiable
accusations about the Chinese. The few
malcontents must remember that the Tibetans
in Tibet are Chinese. I'm optimistic that once
the West recognizes it's no longer profitable
to support these protest movements, their careers
in protesting will soon end.

Tenzing Amdo, Toronto, Canada

Thank you, Mike Hunter, Vancouver, Canada
Here is a photo of Dalai Lama with Mao Zedong in 1954, 4 years after Tibet was "occupied" by Mao's army.
http://www.denniscox.com/Chinesephotogs.htm

skill, houston, us

The level of racism expressed by many in China about Tibet and Tibetans, is appalling, even though they know that their own view of history is highly distorted through decades of government myth-making about Tibet.

Richard Seiji, Ottawa, Canada

Alan And Mary - you are both Chinese who have obviously grown up with propaganda and therefore have no grip on reality when it comes to human rights and Tibet. Wake up. Stop living in the dark under the communist party rule.

Stella, brisbane,

Can you tell me why the Chinese Government is so afraid of the Dalai Lama? Honestly, such a great nation is so fearful of letting Tibetans have the religious freedom promised by Chinese Law. How can they be so fearful of a monk? If he is a "relic" why are they so fearful of him?

I support the students non-violent efforts to show the Beijing Olympics for what they are, an attempt by China to be seen as a real player on the world stage. As long as they continue to abuse their citizens, human rights activists inside China and out will work to keep the pressure on the Governmment to do the right thing.

I wonder if the respondents that mention that life in Tibet is better now have ever been to Tibet. I have my doubts.

Elisabeth, New York, USA

As is known to all, Tibet is a part of chinese territory.It's chinese internal issue.Please leave it alone.Don't you have enough trouble in Iraq&Afghanistan?

Alan, Qinhuangdao, China

Economic developments???? Don't be so deluded Mr Lyn.

Firstly, people should have the freedom to live in thier homeland in peace and not under foreign military rule.

Secondly, what economic benefits are you talking about? The Chinese govt's policy of mass immigration is slowing making the Tibetan people minority in thier own land. Tibetan people are excluded from any 'progress'.

Anyway, the Chinese govt treat their own people as robots expecting them to perform for the economy and providing an bias education system. The outcome being narrow minded people like you that can't imagine people wanting freedom.

Dechen, London, UK

So, western rabble got detained or arrested or expelled? Well deserved, I would say.

mary, hong kong,

No matter what kind of protest is coming from those who has little knowledge about Chinese Ethnic policy, the unity of Chinese territory will be firmly defended by Chinese people!
Do not look down upon the still poor country. And do not forget
that you silly westerners have occupied north America Australia and many other lands! You have no right to put your fingers to China. And there is no so called Chinese occupation in Tibet. Centuries ago, the land already is an integrated part of China. If you really want to have a say over Chinese issues, please study the country's history first!!! <

Zhanyang Yu, Suzhou, China

It's almost as bad as protesting outside Parliament.

Farrukh, Woking, UK

when will Tibet be free ? China should open up more than she is presently doing if she truly wants to be a world leader.

biodun, lagos, Nigeria

It just because some times you didn't understand them intensively.

Varya, HuNan, China

What else can the Tibetans do? They are speaking on behalf of those who are silenced under the repressive regime within Tibet. It is their peaceful way of drawing attention (and hopefully some international protection) from the cultural genocide in Tibet. What use is the Bill of Rights if it is only for the fortunate? What action can be taken against a leadership regime as powerful as the one currently in office in China when they act in outright defiance? Maybe award a prestigious event such as the Olympics as a world seal of approval? I think something must be said and done.

Sue Bloom, Sydney, Australia

Tsering, by calling Chinese 'chinks" does not make you a respectable and decent human. Go and ask Dalai Lama why he was in Beijing in 1953 drinking and dining with Mao and other leaders of China when his homeland was "invaded". Were the one battalion of Kuomingtang troops sent by Nanjing Government in the 1930s counted as "invaders" as well, and those officials stationed in Lhasa since the 17th century? China had Tibet long before China had communists breaded by a western Jew called Karl Marx. Imagine yourself being an American Indian, one of teh 8 million in the 18th century. Where would you be today? Let me tell you, you would be just a number mentioned in a town's museum dedicated to the so called native American Indian culture. As far as the 8 million humans are concerned, 7.5 milion of them were wiped out by the very people they saved from starvation. The surviving half a million who still claim to be indians, unfortunately they can only speak English. Tibetans are lucky.

Mike Hunter, Vancouver, Canada

If Tibet feels it wants to be independant then it should have the right to go through democratic negotiations, just as Ireland and even Scotland are able to do. It is obvious that there is a problem when the Chinese forces are so ruthlessly brutal to anyone who brings up this matter. I have recently visited China, and I was appalled by the terrified obediance of its people, and the blatant censorship of its media. Tibet may have improved economically under Chinese rule, but I am sure that any country would prefer freedom to short term economic growth. As for the Olympics, I was disgusted to see the money being poured into making Beijing look like a western city, with luxurious shopping malls being built whereever we went, when everywhere there was heartwrenching poverty and children begging. The worst was a shantytown on the outskirts that had new flats being built literally on top of it. The "Peoples' Republic" should help its own people before starting any grand schemes.

Supplied, UK,

Tibetans should not be grateful to the Chinese. The Chinese should be grateful to the Tibetans for the countless natural resources that Tibet provides, to the forests in amdo kham region thats been looged, to the uranium and other minerals processed, to the hydro electric power generated and so on. You know Mao Tse Tung's excuse for occupying Tibet - liberation and modernization. If China had to liberate Tibet, it shows Tibet was not a part of China before that. And fifty plus years is enough for modernization. So, we thank the communist party for their help and request them to leave. Lets make this a pleasant farewell.

Tsering, Toronto, Canada

I understand these boys! they love peace ,but,I hope they could study chinese history carefully! One World, One Dream
Tibet will be more flourishing under Chinese government

Liang Le, ChiBi, China

China is not communist China...
China was Republic of China from 1911 and before that Qing Empire, and so on...
Free media...You are playing word games here to brainwash your own people.

Yin Yang, Beijing , Communist China

My highest respect to the knights of the West. The choice of weapon is just perfect. The word , written or spoken, will not only conquer but it will set free .

Jacek kulikowski, Los Angeles, California

Even hardcore "Tibetan freedom fighters" acknowledge that the leader of Tibet, dalai lama, including the current dalai lama received NECESSARY approval from the Chinese Central Government. Here is a quote:
"Historical records show that the institution of the Dalai Lama as an 'incarnate' politico-religious supremo - recognised and empowered by the Chinese central government - began in the middle of the 17th century, when the Great Fifth received a formal title, a golden certificate of appointment, and a golden seal of authority from the Qing Emperor whom he visited, and paid homage to, in Beijing. Interestingly, on February 22, 1940, Tenzin Gyatso was enthroned as the 14th Dalai Lama at the Potala Palace after receiving the necessary certificates and seals of approval from the Chinese Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek, which in fact allocated 400,000 silver dollars to cover the expenses of the enthronement ceremony."
http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=51849

Yin Yang, Beijing , Communist China

Tibetans should be grateful that economic life is much better under China's rule; and not blindly follow a a relic. Dalai Lama is a thing of the past shrouded in mysticism and nonsense.

Westerners do not like to see their stereotype Asian country progress; old junks sailing, chaotic marketplaces, dirt roads and quaint temples are indelible icons of the exotic far east. So there would be some who would protests the Tibetan situation.

China will brood no nonsense in squashing foreign interference in domestic affairs. Tibetans can continue dreaming of a homeland.

One world, one dream is pop culture - silly people so detached from reality.

anton Lyn, Guangzhou, China

What's the business with the briton?

Anson, Guangzhou, China

The chinks in the chains of the iron curtain is showing. This was a protest against the illegal occupation of Tibet by the Chinese communist party. Be forewarned Hu Jintao, there are more non violent protests coming.

Tsering, Toronto, Canada

The world is too complicated to me!
I can't understand these adluts.

shuzhiyi, HangZhou, China