When disputing over international borders of relations it is very common for history to be distorted in order to gain political power. The relationship between China and Tibet proves this point dramatically.

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Extended Essay

David Lawson

Miramar High School IB Program

Candidate # - 1275060

Abstract

When disputing over international borders of relations it is very common for history to be distorted in order to gain political power. The relationship between China and Tibet proves this point dramatically. Chinese historians have been trying for years tried to prove that Tibet has always been considered part of China. The main aim of this investigation is to determine whether or not the Chinese claims of suzerainty over Tibet are justified. Upon a close examination of the historical relations between the two countries it can be seen that the Chinese have distorted and perverted the facts for political means. Much of the Chinese records indicate about relations between Tibet and China can be seen to be false. Also, the atrocities that have occurred in Tibet show that China is only interested in using Tibet for her personal gain. And if China ever did have a right to claim suzerainty over Tibet they should have lost it as a result of the maltreatment of the Tibetan people and land.

The relationship between the Tsang Dynasty in China and the kings of Tibet in the 7th and 9th centuries

During the early 7th century Tibet became unified under King Songsten Gampo while the Chinese Tsang dynasty was being established. At this time in history occur the first recorded contacts between the two countries. The two major incidents that the Chinese will refer to during this time period are the marriage of a Chinese princess to Songsten Gampo in 641 and a peace pledge signed between the two countries in 821. Chinese historians claim that as a result of this marriage and the subsequent meetings that occur between China and Tibet that they "cemented political and kinship ties of unity and formed close economic and cultural relations, laying a solid foundation for the ultimate founding of a unified nation" (Tibet: Its Ownership and Human Rights Situation, China White Paper, 1992, p.3). However, these incidents actually prove that the two nations were sovereign states at the time. The marriage alliance only came about because the Tibetan armies had captured much of the Sichuan province (Tibet: A Political History, Tsepon W.D. Shakabpa, 1967, p.26). Another event that China claims further proves her sovereignty over Tibet is the peace pledge of 821. This pledge uses familial language to refer to the relationship between China and Tibet. It uses the term “uncle-nephew” relationship. China being the uncle and Tibet being the nephew. Therefore, China claims that the grammar of this peace pledge shows the recognized Chinese suzerainty over Tibet. However, this pledge actually defines the relationship between two “completely sovereign nations” (Tibet and Imperial China, Josef Kolmas, 1967, p.11).

Tibet and China under Mongol control during the 13th and 14th centuries

During the 13th century the fierce ruler Genghis Khan united the nomadic tribes of northern Asia and created the Mongol Empire. China and Tibet both fell under the control of the Mongol Empire, which would soon dominate almost all of Asia. The Tibetans submitted to Mongol rule peacefully. While the Chinese fought and lost in both their northern and southern provinces. The Chinese historians’ claim that at his point Tibet was “officially incorporated into the territory of China’s Yuan Dynasty” (China White Paper, p.3). They argue furthermore that "this unification of the whole nation conformed to the advance of history and the desire of all nationalities" (Highlights of Tibetan History, Wang Furen & Suo Wenqing, 1984, p.57).

The fact that China and Tibet both came under the control of the Mongol Empire does not show that they became unified. If this were true then China would be making a claim of suzerainty over northern Burma, North Vietnam, Korea, and a large part of Siberia. All of these countries were under the control of the Mongol Empire. No country has ever claimed to have power over another country because they were both under the influence of the same political power at some point in their history. If this were true then France could claim to have control of Britain because both of the countries were under the Roman Empire’s control.

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By the 15th century power had shifted from the kings of old to the new religious leaders. The new system of government was under the direct control of the Dalai Lamas. Which are the highest-ranking religious leaders in the Buddhist community of Tibet. In the east, the Chinese Ming Dynasty overthrew their Mongol leaders and began to concentrate all of their efforts on economic expansion. The Chinese make the allegation that at this point they inherited territorial claims on Tibet from the ...

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