THE REAL DEVELOPMENTAL STRATEGY OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF CHINA IN TIBET.

Authored by: Kunga Dorje Namgyal Lama (EC 445)

Abstract:
This analysis informs the reader that China has been implementing developmental strategies in Tibet, which are aimed to uplift the regions Capital Absorptive capacity, with no regard for the survival of the Tibetan culture, traditions, religion, language and people. Two underlying issues faced by the Tibetan people have been brought to light. Current and past events are discussed to realize the affects of the developmental strategies of the communist party. Recommendations on how to resolve the issue is discussed to mitigate the problems being faced by the Tibetan people.

JEL Classification: I14, I15, I25,132, 018, 038, P21, P50, P59

Keywords:

Tibet, China, development, Capital Absorptive Capacity, Oppression, Autonomy

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This inquiry seeks to convince the reader, that China has been implementing developmental strategies in Tibet, which are aimed to uplift the regions Capital Absorptive capacity, with no regard for the survival of the Tibetan culture, traditions, religion, language and people. Adding to it, having no regard itself is a strategy to strengthen its power in the region. Placing emphasis upon the issue will mark out two sub-issues that are being faced by the Tibetan people in Tibet. It is imperative to acknowledge the development brought into Tibet by China after 1950, however this paper will focus on the stark realities of the hidden development strategies of China in Tibet. Tibet: Some highlights Tibet is often known as the Roof of the World. According to the S-CTPDPM 1 (2010), with an area size of 2.5 million sq. km, Tibet has a population of 6 million Tibetans and 7.5 million Chinese people (total 13.5 million). The country is gifted with magnificent natural landscapes, cultures, architecture, religion, traditions and people which attract many visitors from all over the world. According to Hasmath and Hsu (2007, p.1), Tibet was a sovereign nation with a fully functioning government until 1950 after the communist government of China occupied the nation. The years after 1950 were difficult for the 14th Dalai Lama (religious and ex political leader of Tibetans) and the Tibetan people as most of their lives were changed due to harsh circumstances that forced many to take refuge in other neighboring countries.2 The TCHRD3 (2007, p. 91), informs that the highland region now known as the Tibetan Autonomous Region, has a vast supply of minerals such as salt, borax, coal, uranium, iron, chromate, gold, and lithium. Apart from the unfortunate events that have rolled down since 1950 (Invasion of Tibet), the Tibetans are predominantly peace loving people, who have traditions and cultures tied towards Tibetan Buddhism and are determined to not lose any aspect of their identity.

1. 2. 3.

Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. India, Nepal and Bhutan. Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy.

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With a pretext of liberation for the Tibetans as their underlying reasoning for invading Tibet, communist China has massively made a strong presence in Tibet and to its people. Kumar (2001), states that nuclear weapons having a range of over 4000 km have been placed in northern and eastern Tibet, giving China another important reason to hold on its grip on Tibet. While the communist government does that, all means of authoritative measures are taken, which are widely reported by human rights organizations these days. The TCHRD (2007, p.36) explains to us that, the Diaspora of cultures and traditions, societies, language, opinions, religion, and freedom has been happening quickly and quietly due to the secretive nature of the government. The nature of Time in Tibet and Capital Absorptive Capacity: In an interview with the Dalai Lama by Robert Thurman (American Buddhist writer), the Dalai Lama interestingly stated, Today, due to the massive Chinese population transfer, the nation of Tibet truly faces the threat of extinction, along with its unique cultural heritage of Buddhist spirituality. Time is short. Correspondingly, TCHRD (2007, p. 116) points out that the population transfers of Han Chinese people into Tibet is largely due to the economic and legal incentives given by the communist government for settling in Tibet. As time passes by, Tibet is noticing massive changes in its societies and economy. In an effort to increase Capital Absorptive capacity in Tibet by the Chinese government, the actions include methods, and policies that go against the identity of the Tibetans. According to Adler (1965, p. 3), capital absorptive capacity is the total amount of capital, that a developing area or country can use productively. Similar to the above definition Adler (1965, p. 4) acknowledges the notion that Capital Absorptive Capacity is the amount of investment that can be made at an acceptable rate of return. Hasmath and Hsu (2007, p. 5) present the view that the primary objective (poverty alleviation) of the UN/World Bank and that of the Chinese

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government are the same. However, according to TCHRD (2007, p. 6), consideration must be given to the fact that the primary objective that Hasmath and Hsu stated above has an objective even higher than that. What is being proposed here is the notion that, communist China occupied Tibet under the pretext to promote development by removing backwardness and medievalism. However, the developmental strategy that was and is being used, has far greater reasoning and implications than just removing backwardness and medievalism. Further in contrary, TCHRD (2007, p. 8) states, Chinas development in Tibet over the past years has failed to benefit Tibetans because it excludes the agrarian Tibetan community, which composes more than 80 percent of the Tibetan population. The Chinese government is doing its best to increase the Capital Absorptive Capacity in the Tibetan region, however the allocations of resources are predominantly done by the Government and not through private hands. Tsering (2002, p. 15) stresses on the fact that due to the absence of Tibetan involvement in formulating policies, the development (bumping up of Capital Absorptive Capacity) by the Chinese government in Tibet, is solely biased and provoking. Looking at the situation more clearly and arriving at a point of sympathy will result in the reader to know two important issues. Firstly, whatever development occurred in Tibet has strengthened the governments power in the region. Secondly, in comparison to other regions across China, Tibet falls to be the least developed, even though Mao Zedongs claim for Tibets invasion was to free the country from backwardness and medievalism to provide equality. In the previous paragraphs, certain ideas were given on the two issues. Looking into these issues more in detail would provide an even more exposing look to it, although the communist government remains secretive in its ruling over Tibet. The nature of time in Tibet has such importance to its people both in and outside Tibet, as the two issues are playing a great effect on peoples lives in Tibet as time passes by.

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Issue 1: According to Tsering (2002, p.10), The true form of development promoted by social scientists for Tibetans is human capital formation and implementation of the right to development and right to self-determination. To address issue number one, emphasis must be put on the Chinese population transfer into Tibet. Hasmath and Hsu (2007, p. 10) takes side on Chinese governments viewpoints by telling us that, poverty eradication, education, and employment are the main social developmental actions needed in Tibet. Furthermore, the Hasmath and Hsu (2007, p. 5) states, We see the Chinese government promoting itself as the agency that brings about modernization and rationality into Tibetan society. What these two authors are lacking in their work is the nature of the implications that are derived from these social developmental actions. With the influx of ethnic Chinese (Han and Huis) into Tibet, the forces of the controlled market is now dominated by the Han and Huis Chinese. As mentioned earlier, the Han and Huis make up 7 million of the total 13.5 million people in Tibet and that is an alarming situation. TCHRD (2007, p. 16) informs that the Han and Huis Chinese are far wealthier than Tibetans, owning businesses, having more political influence, which except for the latter is good for any nation. However the sheer dominance of the transferred people into Tibet has caused the Tibetans, who are the indigenous people to become the minority. Capital Absorptive Capacity is working but it excludes situations like this. The subduing of Tibetan lifestyles and basically their existence has also been affected due to the railway lines being laid from Golmund4 to Lhasa. Hasmath and Hsu (2007, p. 9) acknowledges the fact that Tibetan workers are less paid than non-Tibetan workers. The two authors fail to investigate the reasons as to why the Tibetan workers are getting less paid. Social development/non-development is not accounted by capital absorption capacity and it misses out

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the true values that make up an economy or a country. TCHRD (2007, p. 96) informs that the roads and rail stations that have come up due to Chinas development strategy has resulted in many Han and Huis Chinese moving into Tibet occupying even the small rural towns. Language has been another important matter of discussion as the Tibetan language is being treated as the second language for the students at schools, with mandarin Chinese being their first. TCHRD (2007, p. 87) rightfully positions this as education being designed in a colonial fashion. To the government of China these are development, but by doing this, they are slowly taking away the priceless gem of a nation called language. Issue 2: In issue two, the reality of the situation is also reflected in the lives of the Tibetan people. Even though China runs of a communistic or socialist approach with some capitalistic practices mixed into it, the underlying reality on communism is that it doesnt work in all places. Communism was forcefully brought into Tibet and as the Dalai Lama (2009) rightfully once said China has eaten Tibet, but cannot digest it. Tsering (2002, p. 10-11) rightfully states that Beijings primary economic objective in Tibet is to exploit its natural resources, putting Tibet in a position as a resource extraction colony. Furthermore, Tsering (2002, p.10) purports, The political objective of developing Tibet is to assimilate Tibet and its people completely into the Chinese motherland. The assimilation of Tibet and its people into the motherland has given some economical benefits but not social or human developmental benefits in the long run. According to the CHDR (2005, p. 154) Tibet has the lowest Human development Index, life expectancy index, and education index. The Diaspora of the Tibetan peoples lives from their true identities due to Chinas stern policies has caused mass people to go into exile. The information provided by the CHDR is valuable; however one must remember that Tibetans are a

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minority and that most economically active indexes are being caused by the Han/ Huis Chinese presence in Tibet. It is interesting to note the index showcasing the basic pension insurance. According to CHDR (2005, p. 177), the number of people participating in basic pension insurance in Tibet was 44,000, while the next lowest was Quinghai (neighboring Tibet) standing at 405,000 people. All the other provinces have higher numbers. This could well likely be due to Han and Huis Chinese settling in Tibet during their working years and retiring back in their native provinces and not in Tibet. In that way, created wealth in Tibet, is eventually moving to other provinces. TCHRD (2007, p. 34-35) advances the view that this type of situation is called the Boomerang economic theory. TCHRD (2007, p. 13) states, In 2001, China had an illiteracy rate of 9.1% with 22.9% below the age of 14. While in the Tibetan Autonomous Region, the illiteracy rate was a staggering 47.3% and 31.2% below the age of 14. The acceptation of communism in Tibet to develop Tibetans from backwardness and medievalism becomes hard to believe due to its profit only driven presence in Tibet. Tsering (2002, p. 14) warns readers of the dangers of the Chinese government interfering into Tibets intellectual properties. For the past hundreds of years, Tibetans are known well for their sophisticated knowledge and practice on the medicinal value of various plants and herbs grown in Tibets highlands. Tsering educates us by informing that Chinese scientists have studying and analyzing and labeling Tibets genetic diversity. If this plays out and is fully concentrated all over Tibet, many Tibetans will have a lesser pay in their incomes. The situation then becomes similar to the farming practices done in India, where farmers have to purchase patented seeds every year. TCHRD (2007, p. 38) notes that the industrialization of Tibet failed miserably because; the country doesnt run on the fundamentals of an economy or rate of return. This does not suffice the proper derivation of capital absorptive capacity levels in Tibet. Since

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the last five decades, China has put in force a colonial economic policy, where wealth is extracted from Tibet. Tsering (2002, p. 15) informs us that the Chinese word for Tibet is Xizang, which means western treasure house. The Chinese government, Han and Huis Chinese have been changing the dynamics of Tibets social and economical conditions to unfavorable conditions. Urban development in Tibet is eye-catching and progressive, however one must realize that Han and Huis Chinese dominantly control these urban enclaves, whilst the Tibetans become the silent spectators watching their own country lose their identity in the name of development. Current Events: With the onslaught of the two issues on the Tibetan peoples lives, there have been many recent events that have caused widespread anger towards Tibetans living in and outside Tibet. Not only are the Tibetans solely voicing their issues, as many countries are in solidarity against the injustice occurring in Tibet. The Associated Press (2012) in an article wrote that since March 2011, at least 17 people have self-immolated themselves. Phayul (2008) states in an article, According to Tibetan Buddhist doctrine, suicide is one of the gravest forms of sins violating the cardinal precepts of the doctrine. The Associated Press (2012) reports that the Chinese government frames Tibetans who have self-immolated themselves as outcasts, criminals, and mentally ill people who have been manipulated by the Dalai Lama. What has to be accepted by the Chinese government, who obviously knows the truth, is that the Dalai Lama stands against Self-immolations. As noted above, suicide goes against the teachings of the Buddha and to what the Dalai Lama preaches. However, the Dalai Lama, Tibetan community, and the friends of Tibet admire the bravery and sacrifice of their efforts to fight against the oppression from the Communist government. Phayul (2008) reports a suicide

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note of a monk that read, I do not want to live under Chinese oppression even for a minute, leave aside living for a day. An interesting effort on the worldwide level to curb the Tibetan cry against the Chinese oppression is by having Confucius institutes all over the world. The International Herald Tribune (2012) rightfully quotes Mr. Martin Davidson (CEO of the British Council), They want to change the perception of China- to combat negative propaganda with positive propaganda. Daniel Golden (2011) of Bloomberg writes that with hosting of Confucius institute on college campuses, issues such as Tibet cannot be discussed, while the University receives strong support financially from the China-funded organization. Interestingly, Confucius once said, An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger, China takes the position of the oppressive government. Autonomy, Received? Tsering (2002, p. 11-12) advances the view that the Tibetans are people who have developed a respectful use of natural resources, which give local ecosystems sustainable conditions to live with. However, that moral economic usage and allocation of available resources are being hampered due to the extensive colonial retraction of resources to the true motherland and not Tibet. Tsering (2002, p. 16) rightfully states, globalization represents another framework for exploitation imposed upon by China, without their approval or knowledge. The notion presented in the sentence previously without their approval or knowledge is a major factor as to why Tibetans feel oppressed. China names the region as the Tibetan Autonomous Region, where according to the Oxford dictionary autonomy is defined as the right or condition of self-government. The government in Tibet falls nowhere near that realm of freedom.

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However if greater autonomy is received, the condition to govern the region under the eyes of Beijing becomes awkward and difficult, as Tibetans are now a minority. Han and Huis Chinese will have their own wants and needs that are currently being fully met. Therefore, such a situation is unwanted by the government for it will requests in newer policies or demands from the Tibetan community, which could harm the Han and Huis Chineses economic goals in Tibet. TCHRD states that the Dalai Lama has moved on from his strive for independence, and so should China move on. The needs and goals of Tibetans have been ignored and sidelined, thus hampering true progress and social development. Conclusion and Discussion: With this inquiry, we have sought to convince the reader, that China has been implementing developmental strategies in Tibet, which are aimed to uplift the regions Capital Absorptive capacity, with no regard for the survival of the Tibetan culture, traditions, religion, language and people. Despite the prospect of increased economic growth in Tibet, Tibetans are left out of the development, as non-Tibetans generate wealth mostly in urban areas and resource extraction areas. Under such conditions, Tibetans in Tibet and outside are increasingly getting frustrated with the oppression. As a result, mass protests all over the world have been taking place in and out of Tibet to object the aggressive and profit-driven policies of the communist government. In view of these oppressions, the Chinese government must take on significant measures to curtail the flow of ethnic Chinese into Tibet. Greater autonomy must be given to the Tibetans so as to have the true wants and needs of the Tibetan fulfilled. Extraction of resources should be less aggressive and respectful to the people of Tibet and its environment. The situation can be greatly improved if Beijing removes its stubborn thought that the Dalai Lama stands for independence and becomes open for talks with the Dalai Lama on how greater autonomy in the

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region can be put in place, as the Dalai Lama is the religious leader of the Tibetans in Tibet (illegal to worship the Dalai Lama in China) who has a strong presence in the Tibetan peoples lives in Tibet.

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Bibliography Adler, John. 1965. Aborptive Capacity: The concept and its determinants, The Brookings Institution. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 65-24353 Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD). 2007. Railway and Chinas Development Strategy in Tibet: A Tale of Two Economies, Tsering, Tashi. 2002. Globalization to Tibet, Himalyan Research Bulletin, Geography Department of Portland State University. Hasmath, Reza, and Hsu, Jennifer. 2007. Social Development in the Tibet Autonomous Region: A Contemporary and Historical Analysis. International Journal of Development Issues. Vol. 6, No. 2: 125-141. University of Cambridge. Nishimura, Richard. Crossing the Line: Chinas Railway to Lhasa, Tibet, International Campaign for Tibet. Kumar, Satish. 2001. Nuclearisation of Tibetan Plateau and its implications for India. Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. China Human Development Report. 2005. Human Development Indicies of different Provinces and other relevant indicatiors. UNDP. http://www.undp.org.cn/downloads /nhdr2005/12province_hdi.pdf Websites: 1) http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/world/asia/two-tibetan-women-die-after-selfimmolation.html?_r=1&ref=tibet 2) http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=20319&t=1 3) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-01/china-says-no-talking-tibet-as-confuciusfunds-u-s-universities.html 4) http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/autonomy