Tales of the Orient
Whilst it can be argued that Tibet is historically part of China, culturally there are distinct dissimilarities. In contrast to the many minorities in China, the Tibetans have a powerful sense of their own culture which makes them unique.
China has for centuries been ravaged by invasion, warlordism and dismemberment and has now fulfilled its historic ambitions of being geographically complete. However, it is difficult to understand its view of the Dalai Lama. China insists that he is demanding independence, yet he keeps repeating his desire only for more Tibetan autonomy.
There are ironies in all of this. The US put much pressure on China to try to bring North Korea to the negotiating table. The Chinese persuasively argued that until the USA negotiated directly, there would be no progress. So a formula was devised to prevent any loss of face, and it worked. In my view China should have the confidence to interface directly with the Dalai Lama; it is from their point of view counterproductive to refuse this opportunity.
Additionally there is a genuine longing in China for Taiwan to become part of the Republic of China. Until recent events in Tibet, the voices in Taiwan calling for a greater rapprochement were in the ascendant. Now the elections in Taiwan next week may well be influenced by concerns over actions in Tibet.
The development of China is indeed a latter day economic miracle, and there is certainly more freedom and tolerance than a decade ago. China has every reason to be self-confident – its sound advice to the Americans over North Korea should be echoed in its dealings with the Dalai Lama today.