Garvey I

Matthew Garvey
English I
Mrs. Holland
May 1st, 2015

Research Report
The occupation of Tibet has been a center of controversy for many
years, as some believe the occupation is illegal, and others believe that Tibet
should be occupied by China. According to the Tibetan Justice Center, (TJC),
the Tibetans are entitled to exercise their right of self-determination,
(Tibet Should Be Fully Independent and Self-Governing 1). This is set out
through international law, which proves the documents that China once
forced Tibet into, (The Seventeen Points Agreement for the Peaceful
Liberation of Tibet), is an illegitimate document that restricts the
international right to express themselves. Once the Chinese had much
control over Tibet, they gave them an ultimatum to either sign the
agreement, giving up Tibet, or more military action. Plus, they have full
authority over Tibets ancient and cultural decisions (i.e., the Panchen Lama).
On May 15th, 1995, the Dalai Lama selected Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the

11th Panchen Lama, as a result, Chinese authorities detained the child and
his family two days later, calling the Dalai Lamas candidate illegal and
invalid, (Gedhun Choekyi Nyima- Panchen Lama 1). The Chinese
government controversially selected a new Panchen Lama through the
Golden Urn, excluding the individual selected by the Dalai Lama. There has
been many requests to see the Panchen Lama selected by the Dalai Lama,
but China has repeatedly denied access, stating that the Panchen Lama is
living a normal life in healthy conditions. These statements prove that
Chinas occupation of Tibet is under illegal circumstances and the Tibetans
should have the right to self-determination, which has been stripped of them
by the Chinese government.
Historically, Tibet has been prosperous, in past occupations, they have
been granted the freedom to have their own government, even when they
were occupied by another country. Before the 13th century, Tibet was an
independent state, and also the most powerful sovereign nation in the 8th
century, (Tibet Should Be Fully Independent and Self-Governing 3). In the
thirteenth century, the Mongols took over Tibet, yet they were granted
sovereignty for several decades. From 1349 to 1642, Tibets Second
Kingdom ruled over Tibet, free from Chinese and Mongol rule. During the
Qing Dynasty, the Dalai Lamas and Manchu Emperors reestablished a choyon relationship, (Tibet Should Be Fully Independent and Self-Governing
3). In 1793, the Emperor requested control of Tibets foreign affairs, but this
was brought onto the 8th Dalai Lama as a suggestion, not of force.

Eventually, the cho-yon relationship between the Dalai Lamas and Manchu
Emperors ended, and Ambans had no influence in Tibet, previously having a
certain amount of influence. It is now historically proven that Tibet can be a
sovereign, independent nation.

In Tibetan Buddhism, there has been a history of Dalai Lamas; this is

an ancient tradition that is now being controlled by the Chinese government.
The Dalai Lama leads the Dge-lugs-pa or Yellow Hat Sect of Tibetan
Buddhists., (How The Dalai Lama Works 1). They restored discipline to
monastic life and promote academic rigor. The first Dalai Lama was born in
around 1391 and the most recent in 1935, who is currently in exile in India.
The Tibetan Government in Exile is a government outside of Tibet, headed by
the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama has said his reincarnation will not be reborn
in China if Tibet is not free, and no one, including China, has the right to
choose his successor for political ends, (Dalai Lama Can Decide Whether
He Will Reincarnate: Tibet Leader, 1). The Dalai Lama has stated that he
might be the final Dalai Lama, yet China has mentioned the tradition must
continue and selected by the government. Tibetans fear China will use the
Dalai Lamas succession to split Tibetan Buddhism, one possibly being
named by exiles and another appointed by China. China should not have
control over Tibets religious and cultural freedom, nor should they select a
new Dalai Lama for governmental purposes.