Tibet and China: Freedom vs. Survival

Arguments on both sides dismiss out of hand opposing views, boiling the conflict down to a simple black and white issue of bad vs. good. The reality is far more complicated, and in fact finds an historical parallel in the case of Japan's occupation of Korea.

In 1910 Japan annexed the Korean peninsula, where for more than three decades it pursued a systematic program of cultural and ethnic suppression in the name of "civilization and progress." Koreans protested to the mostly deaf ears of world leaders, and as in Tibet, Korea's religious sentiments were instrumental in fanning the flames of independence.

As China claims for Tibet, Japan asserted historical ownership over Korea. Again as with China's relationship to Tibet, Korea represented an integral part of Japan's larger imperial ambitions. Lose Korea and Japan would lose its foothold on the Aisan continent. Lose Tibet and China is threatened with the loss of Xinjiang in the northwest, Taiwan, and a host of other minority dominanted regions.

Beyond these fears of fragmentation China also has good reason to fear religious movements that go beyond simple Communist ideology. The Yellow Turban Revolt of the 2nd century, the Taiping and Boxer Rebellions of the 19th century, all were religiously motivated movements desgined to topple the government, leaving millions of dead in their wake.

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