China's Empire-Building Policy in Tibet Compromised by Karmapa Lama's Exile

The forced exile of the 17th Karmapa Lama, a Tibetan spiritual leader, marks a significant setback for China's efforts to consolidate its control over Tibet. Recognized by the Chinese authorities and the exiled Dalai Lama, the Karmapa Lama's legitimacy had been a crucial factor in Beijing's attempts to co-opt Tibetan spiritual leaders and promote a more sympathetic and reliable authority in Tibet. However, his departure underscores the inability of Chinese authorities to effectively manage Tibetan expectations and the need for a more nuanced approach to addressing the region's cultural and religious sensitivities.

Key Takeaways:

• The 17th Karmapa Lama's recognition by both the Chinese authorities and the exiled Dalai Lama was a significant breakthrough in China's efforts to promote a more cooperative and submissive Tibetan leadership.
• The Karmapa Lama's exile is a blow to Chinese hopes of sponsoring a future leader of Tibet and undermines several years of attempts by Beijing to finesse victory in a long-term struggle for Tibetan hearts and souls.
• The Panchen Lama, the second authority in the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat sect of Buddhism, will now face the task of identifying a young dalai Lama, a role that has been a source of tension between China and the Dalai Lama's followers.
• China has annulled the Dalai Lama's choice of child Panchen Lama, made in 1995, and the current Panchen Lama is believed to be living in seclusion, possibly untrained for his role.
• Beijing's attempts to co-opt Tibetan spiritual leaders have been met with widespread skepticism, with many Tibetans regarding the current Panchen Lama as a fake.
• The Dalai Lama's attempts to resume dialogue with Beijing have been met with hostility, and the Dalai Lama has been accused of supporting violence and merely acknowledging China's sovereignty over Tibet.

Statistics:

• Over 600 prisoners of conscience are currently in jail in Tibet.
• Nearly 2,500 Tibetans have fled to avoid a crackdown involving arrests, torture, disappearances, and forced abortions.
• 80 million Christians in China have suffered arrests for belonging to an "evil cult".
• Official dialogue on human rights with the United States, promised in 1998, has not materialized.

Sources:

• "China's Empire-Building Policy in Tibet Compromised by Karmapa Lama's Exile" by [no author], The Times, Copyright (C) 2000.