Leading newspaper Op-ed exposes truths of Dalai Lama

But has he really given up his dream of an "independent Tibet"?

An analysis of his concept of "the great region of Tibet" and "meaningful autonomy" makes his rhetoric game clear. "The great region of Tibet" the Dalai Lama refers to includes parts of the Tibet autonomous region's neighboring areas, which would add up to one-fourth of China's entire land mass. Even during the Yuan, Mingand Qing dynasties when the emperors exercised suzerainty over Tibet, these Tibetan-inhabited areas were part of other local Chinese provinces and regions. Hence, the Dalai Lama has neither a historical ground nor legal basis for his geographic concept of "the great region of Tibet".

The autonomy Tibet enjoys over its affairs has been conducive to economic growth and social progress of the region. It's true, Tibetan culture has suffered over the past few decades, including cultural relics being vandalized during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76). But then the cultures of other provinces and regions suffered the same fate during that period.

Thus it would be erroneous to say that Tibetan culture was singled out for destruction. On the contrary, the central and Tibetan autonomous region governments have made every effort to preserve material and non-material Tibetan culture.

The "meaningful autonomy" the Dalai Lama has been talking about in recent years is meaningful only to him and a handful of his followers. "Meaningful autonomy" is nothing but a new term for "Tibet independence". And the Dalai Lama and his followers changed their strategy, and began seeking "meaningful" or "real autonomy" only after their call for "Tibet independence" failed to get the support of Tibetans and the international community.