Regardless of whether you think Tibet is part of China, the problem in Tibet is still a problem of human rights.

Basic Human Rights.

As a non-Tibetan and someone who does not follow Tibetan Buddhism, I don't have any vested interest in supporting an independent Tibet or promoting Tibetans' and religion. Tibetan independence is no more relevant to me than Quebec independence.

But I am a human being. So I care about human rights.

Right now Tibetans are not getting religious freedom. They are subject to all kinds of restrictions, arrests, beatings, propaganda, etc. They are not even allowed to carry photos of the Dalai Lama. (Can you imagine Hindus and Catholics not being permitted to carry images of their gods and saints?)

It is true that China has spent much money developing Tibet. I believe China is sincere about raising Tibet's GNP. However, China is doing so in a very ham-handed and abusive way that disregards basic human rights and creates economic inequality with Han Chinese

Victoria Sen, Sydney,

In my opinion,we should go to local websites of China if we want to know the real events about Tibet.
www.sina.com

Peter, Paris, France

Chinese who say Tibet is part of China do not know their history. The real history not the party line. For many centuries
China Emperors did not have control of Tibet and Tibet sometimes invaded Chinese territory. How else could the Tibetans have developed such a distinctive culture? Saying it Chinese so does not make it so. The relationship between the two states might be loosely compared to that between England and Scotland before the Union of the two in beginning of the 17the Century.
It is noteworthy that the Western govts have never condemned
the exploitation of West Papua (Irian jaya) by Indonesia.
This quite ethnically different country was annexed by Indonesia after an so called election in which tribal heads were bribed with cash and women, with the agreement of the UN and USA and has been ruthlessly economically raped by Indonesia ever since.
Of course they do not have a Dalai Lama, who is fawned upon by the media and US film stars, tto publicise their plight.

plato, ely,

I am a chinese boy , I can't bear the Tibet 's fight for dependence . The Tibet is a part of china , anyone who wants to make Tibet dependence should be punished . We chinese like peace and all the people in the world , but if someone who want to strike my country , we 1.3 billion people will take the weapons to fight for our country -- the People's Republic of China . I hope the people who plan to make dependence you had better be careful yourself .

xuanyuan, chengdu , China

We listen to Kosovo Albanians and say that it is just that they should be independent, due to the Serbs nastiness. Lo! Within 10 years they are "free" We've listen to Tibetens shouts for freedom for 50 years, yet trade with their oppressors and press the flesh whenever we can. The USA led us both times, where does the road lead now Dubya?

John, london,

People always ignore history if it is in there own interest.
It depends on which side you are on....
Time and time again, history and recent events show all over the world that who ever is the strongest will dominate and diminish the weaker. Look at the Palestinias, the Armenians in Turkey and Iraq, the Tibetans. If you go back 150 years the US annexing TEXAS from the Mexicans.....

I am Chinese and I also thinks that China should leave Tibet as it is. I also don't condone the actions in Tibet. There are already way to many cultural heritage destroyed in Tibet AND in China. But I do think that Tibet should formally be part of China because of historical and strategic reasons!!

Regards,
Gminosabi
Amsterdam

Gminosabi, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

It’s getting more and more ridiculous! Tibet has been an autonomous region of China for hundreds of years, just like Scotland to the UK. Would anyone in the West support some priests in Scotland trying to be independent? Western media should really do a bit research on Chinese history before pointing fingers to the Chinese government.

It is really ridiculous and unacceptable that the Tibetan separatists hold the Olympics Game a hostage for their own political benefits. Every developed and civilised country in the world has reached the separation of religion and politics since long time ago. Imagine the Church of England trying to uprise against the UK constitution and gain political control of the country? Dalai Lama has trying to do exactly that to Tibet!

Michael, Cambridge, England

if scottish people wanted independence,the government would do nothing about it?It is natural to protect the unity of a nation,i do not think the tibetians would have a decent life should they gain independence.Mongolia was part of china before the world war II,does it mean that china can take it back?

Nick, wuhan, china

I believe USA is one of most just coutry in the world. But it doesn't means that America is always fair. Acturely, everycountry has his own words, different people holds different view.
And Bell , I don't know how do you define terrorist. But do you think USA is the real terrorist for Irap , even for the world. But I don't think so.

Wu, Shanghai, China

Since we are all so keen on history, i feel China should be made part of Mongolia, as historically China is an inalienable part of Mongolia. As much as Tibet is an inalieable part of China anyway.

What it comes down to is Tibetans WANT independence, if they want to run their own country they they should be given independence. The Tibetans deserve it, they dont deserve the Han migrating to steal land and jobs at will.

Matthew, Kota Bharu, Malaysia

USA is most devil country in the world

michael, Kunshan, China

Please respect Tibetan culture!
Please give Tibetan people religious freedom!
I am a Chinese. I am shamed of what Chinese have been doing in Tibet. Hope soon they will realize their mistake.

Richard, San Francisco, USA

China is the real terrorists in Tibet. China forcefully took freedom from the Tibetan people! China is the most evil country today!

J. Bell, USA, USA

Tenzin, UN is designed to protect world rule of today not the history.If refer to history ,there is no USA three hundred years ago. If refer to history , Israel was once the homeland of Hebrew. Then turn to the homeland of Arbian, so who should get the Israel land?
So , please do not instigate the terrorism in Tibet.

Wu, Shanghai, China

History doesn't matter. All that matters is who has the military might to seize and retain power and who has the political fortitude to ignore international condemnation and pressure. If history governed events of today then there would be no Palestinian refugee problem for the world would understand the right of Isreal to exits and of Tibet to be independent.

J. Russell, Houston, Texas

to RY:

If Tibet is such an "inalienable part of China," then why do Tibetans (regardless of whether they live inside Tibet or outside of Tibet) want to not be a part of China?

Before you speak from your colonialist point of view, you should talk to some ordinary Tibetans.

Lhakyi, Cairo, Egypt

Tibet became part of China in the early 15th Century. The Dalai Lama became Party Secretary of Tibet in 1951, charged with abolishing serfdom and 'the untouchables' by 1957 he had failed to do either and was removed. In 1959 he led a rebellion to preserve both. Source Oxford University Library. As far as I can see he wishes to see the return of a system where millions of serfs worked to keep thousands of monks in relative luxury and the untouchables denied schooling, medicine and basic amenities.

James, Nanning, China

When we argue about history, bigger nations always win the arguement. If you are a historian without having influence from Chinese government in Beijing and Tibetan Gorvernment in Dharamsala, you will come to a conclusion that Tibet existed as an independence country with constant Chinese intrusion into its affair throughout the history. Please forget about this because there is no way to achieve Tibet's independence even if Tibetans win arguement about the past history. UN is useless for poor countries and nationless people like Tibetans.
Only way to regain Tibet Independence is to resort any means that may include violent act such as killing and kidnapping those corrupted Communist Chinese "leaders".

Tenzin jamphel, New York , USA

It is easy to find on the internet, though.
I wonder whether people from the west simply don't want to know the truth instead.
http://www.indopedia.org/Tibet.html

Yin Yang, Beijing, China

RY is correct. Mybe history way back to the dynasties is too far for people not familiar with Chinese history. But even in 20th centrury, in 1906 and 1914, twice UK goverment signed treaties with CHINESE government regarding Tibet problem. Just wonder why UK media won't mention this?

Hai, Denver, US

Till today the west is still trying all means to dismantle the hard earned social stability in China. Why did this fact file only started during Mao's time? Why no mention of history way back to the dynasties ? This article conveniently ignored events that prove Tibet is an inalienable part of China.

RY, Singapore,