The portrayal of Tibet Autonomous Region on Chinese social media, especially after the meeting between US lawmakers and the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, underscores heightened Chinese insecurity about potential unrest in Tibet and US interest. This carefully managed discourse surrounding Tibet suggests orchestrated efforts, mirroring Beijing’s approach in Xinjiang to present these autonomous regions as prosperous and enjoying religious freedom, countering Western human rights concerns.
A cursory search of Tibet, referred to as Xizang by China, on several Chinese social media platforms presents a picture of a thriving tourist destination with robust infrastructure and Tibetans freely practising their religion. However, according to the Central Tibetan Administration, this portrayal is far from reality. Allegations persist of China suppressing religious freedoms in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).
The stark contrast between Chinese social media and official discourse and the perspectives of Western governments and Tibetans-in-exile is evident, especially highlighted by the visit of a bipartisan delegation of United States’ lawmakers led by Republican Rep. Michael McCaul to meet the 14th Dalai Lama.
Chinese media platforms are flooded with articles, posts, and videos promoting Tibet as a burgeoning tourist destination. This narrative emphasises the TAR enjoying ‘autonomy and freedom’, highlighting Beijing’s initiatives in promoting Tibetan welfare and developing infrastructure.
To counter the US narrative on Tibet, Chinese media has extensively covered the rare visit by a European Union delegation for the 39th EU-China Human Rights Dialogue to the TAR. This visit occurred just days before US lawmakers’ visit to Dharamshala. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) highlighted the EU delegation’s visit, stating that it deepened their understanding of the actual situation in Tibet.
Despite Beijing’s strict grip over Tibet, reactions from Chinese officials and social media users to the US lawmakers’ delegation visit to Dharamshala reveal deep-seated anxieties. Tibet remains a core issue for China. Lin Jian, a Chinese MFA spokesperson, emphasised, ‘Tibet (Xizang) as an integral part of China since ancient times’, categorising it as ‘an internal matter’ and warning against ‘external interference’ (read the US).
Also read: Tibet won’t remain a side issue for long between India, China. Xi’s policies indicate
‘US meddling in China’s internal affairs’
Nancy Pelosi, the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, drew notable reactions from China with her fiery remarks, despite discussions on Tibet being heavily censored. Pelosi is widely disliked among Chinese officials and social media users, perceived as anti-China, at least since her outspoken criticism of China’s handling of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. From her August 2022 visit to Taiwan to her recent trip to Dharamshala, discussions about her have been largely negative. Numerous posts on Chinese social media platforms have disparaged her, with a commentary in Guangming Daily accusing Pelosi of harbouring anti-China sentiments, attributing her motives to seeking attention and benefiting from tarnishing China’s image.
A commentary on Baidu asserted that after over emphasising the Taiwan card, the US is now highlighting the Tibet issue, suggesting that the lawmakers visit and the Resolve Tibet Act aimed to split China. The author argues that despite China’s firm stance on sovereignty and territorial integrity as non-negotiable core interests, both the United States and India (given New Delhi’s permission for the lawmakers’ visit) continue to hype these sensitive issues, thereby deliberately provoking tensions.
The discourse in China regarding the India-US coalition’s stance on Tibet remains relatively underreported. The prevailing narrative continues to be about accusing the US of meddling in China’s internal affairs, specifically in Tibet. A commentary suggested that US concerns, possibly influenced by the People’s Liberation Army’s powerful Xi’an H-6 twin-engine jet bombers in Tibet, may have prompted this shift in focus towards Tibet.
Whether it is Tibet or Taiwan, the perception in China is that the US is trying to leverage every possible option to hinder China’s rise, using these sensitive issues as bargaining chips. Zhu Weiqun, former head of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, suggests that “the more the US discusses Tibet, the more it reveals their support for the Dalai Lama, which he views as revisiting past issues.” However, Zhu believes Washington’s attempt to play the Tibet card will be futile due to the region’s stability.
Interestingly, Russia’s state-controlled RT posted on Weibo that the Joe Biden administration is expanding US influence in Asia, sparking controversy by selling weapons to Taiwan and raising concerns over Tibet. Whether supporting Taiwan’s or Tibet’s independence, the administration’s goal appears to be dividing China and impeding its rapid development. The RT post also claimed that even Russian President Vladimir Putin recently cautioned that NATO, led by the US, views Asia as a permanent strategic focus, posing a significant threat to regional countries, including Russia. This post gained widespread circulation on Weibo, underscoring Moscow’s alignment with Beijing on core issues important to the latter and highlighting concerns over increasing US influence in Asia.
While discussions on Weibo and other social media platforms have echoed past accusations of the US using the Tibet issue to meddle in China’s internal affairs, much of the scholarly community has noticeably refrained from addressing Tibet’s geopolitical dynamics. Despite several Tibetan studies centres established in Chinese universities, many have transformed into propaganda platforms selectively focusing on ecological issues, environmental concerns, and infrastructure development. This deliberate shift aims to divert attention from Tibet’s geopolitical relevance and the suppression of Tibetan religious and human rights.
Also read: US shifting its Tibet stance. When will India end its silence?
Missing link in Chinese discourse
In Chinese discourse surrounding the Dharamshala visit, a minority perspective has emerged regarding the India-US relationship. What is notably absent is India’s decision to allow lawmakers to visit and meet the Dalai Lama. This reflects India’s evolving policy and firm stance against adhering to China’s perceived double standards. It highlights India’s readiness to escalate if China continues to ignore its concerns and leverage its position.
While India has avoided using the so-called Tibet card in the past, current perceptions of and expectations from China have shifted. India is now determined to adjust its policies to better align with its interests and is open to deepening cooperation with the US on traditionally sensitive issues. It seems that, for now, no issue, including Tibet, is off the table for the US and India as they work together to address the challenges posed by China.
Sana Hashmi is a fellow at Taiwan Asia Exchange Foundation and George H. W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations. She tweets @sanahashmi1. Views are personal.
(Edited by Prashant)