Since China’s annexation of Tibet, Dharamshala has been a home to those who fled – but in recent years, far fewer refugees have arrived to join them. Now, their movement is waiting to see what the Dalai Lama’s eventual death will bring next
MURAT YÜKSELIR / THE GLOBE AND MAIL, SOURCE: GRAPHIC NEWS; TILEZEN; OPENSTREETMAP CONTRIBUTORS; REUTERS; NATURAL EARTH DATA
In 1979 – based on a comment by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping that when it came to Tibet “except independence, all other issues can be resolved through negotiations” – the Dalai Lama put forward what is known as the Middle Way approach, renouncing independence in favour of “genuine autonomy” within the People’s Republic of China.
At 36, Ms. Dolkar is one of a new generation of Tibetan politicians and activists who are trying to adapt to a powerful, increasingly assertive China, even as older figures within the exile community continue to speak of dialogue or even the potential collapse of the Communist system. Director Rinzin Choedon, middle, discusses strategy with Students for a Free Tibet colleagues Tenzin Lobsang, left, and Tenzin Lakdhen, right.
“The Middle Way approach is defined by optimism, not defeatism,” said Dawa Tsering, director of the Tibet Policy Institute, a CTA think tank, and former chief representative for the Dalai Lama. “When we do this lobbying, now we have changed the tactic a little bit because China is not responding … since 2010 there has been no traction,” Mr. Tsering said, adding that part of the problem has been that the international community often repeats China’s line on Tibet, legitimizing the illegal annexation of what was formerly a sovereign country.
Ottawa largely endorses this line, with the Department of Global Affairs saying Canada “recognizes Tibet as an integral part of the People’s Republic of China with a distinct cultural identity,” while criticizing Beijing’s restrictions on Tibetan culture, religion and language. Mr. Tsering said that Beijing’s current policy is to “wait for His Holiness to die.” Not only will China seek to control recognition of the next, 15th Dalai Lama – a 2007 law requires government approval for all reincarnations, including when the 16th Dalai Lama will be born – there is no figure in the Tibetan community who has the type of international influence and cachet of the current Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and one of the most recognizable people on the planet.
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