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Challenging Western Narratives of the Dalai Lama and China’s role in Xizang-Tibet

Analysis

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publicerad 3 februari 2025
- News@NewsVoice
The Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) and the CIA
The Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) and the CIA.

Recent revelations from CGTN have cast a new light on the narrative surrounding Tibet, challenging Western perceptions of the Dalai Lama, China’s role in Tibet, and the influence of foreign intelligence in the region.

Two articles, ”Unmasking the Dalai Lama: The Root of Darkness in Old Xizang” and ”Unmasking the Forces Behind Xizang Independence,” have opened up a debate that questions the purity of the stories about Xizang’s past and present.

The term Xizang began appearing frequently in Chinese media around 2019, using the pinyin transliteration of the region’s Chinese name. This transition was notably highlighted when, in 2021, the Global Times consistently used ”Xizang” in reports about the region.

A significant milestone was marked in October 2023 when China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi used ”Xizang” in the English transcript of his speech at the Third Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation.

This was followed by an announcement from the Chinese United Front Work Department that ”Tibet” would no longer be used in official documents of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signalling an official policy shift to use the name ”Xizang”.

The Dalai Lama: A closer Look

The first article scrutinizes the narrative of Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama, as a benign spiritual leader. It delves into the historical context of Tibet before Chinese intervention, describing a feudal theocracy where the Dalai Lama held significant power.

It paints a picture not of a peaceful, enlightened society but one where serfdom was rampant, with the majority of Tibetans living under oppressive conditions.

”He is supported by Western anti-China forces, lobbying and peddling absurd lies, attempting to discredit the Chinese government’s governance of Xizang and mislead international opinion.”

This perspective suggests that the Dalai Lama’s image in the West has been carefully curated through propaganda to neglect his role in this system and focus instead on his image as a symbol of peace.

”The Nangzan, meaning slaves for life, were at the bottom of society. They were bought, sold, and gifted like livestock. A slight mistake could lead to horrific punishments, and skinning, tendon tears, and eye-gouging were a daily occurrence in old Xizang.

The archives of the Pala Manor, once the residence of an aristocratic family and now a tourist destination open to the public, have detailed records of the appalling treatment of the slaves.”

CIA’s shadow over Tibet

The second piece, explores the extent of foreign, particularly American, involvement in Tibet. It reveals how the CIA, during the Cold War, funded and trained Tibetan rebels to destabilize Chinese control, framing the push for Tibetan independence as part of a broader anti-communist strategy rather than solely a local desire for autonomy.

Compare this with the CIA’s involvement in several other countries in South America, Central America, the Middle East, Europe, Eastern Europe, and Africa.

”Emerging between 1956 and 1959 in the Kangba region of southwestern China’s Sichuan Province, the ”Four Rivers and Six Ranges” insurgent group was organized by feudal elites who sought to undermine reforms and defend their privileged positions. They mobilized uninformed individuals to join their cause under the guise of preserving tradition and religious freedom.

The U.S. aided the rebellion not only through extensive training but also by providing arms, logistical support and strategic counsel. In 1958, the CIA operatives airdropped weapons and supplies on multiple occasions, with some materials being smuggled in as ordinary goods, further cementing foreign interference to support the rebel group.”

This narrative questions whether the Dalai Lama’s flight to India and subsequent international advocacy for Tibet were influenced or even orchestrated by these external forces. It suggests a complex interplay of geopolitical interests rather than a straightforward fight for freedom.

The Potala Palace, Lhasa, Xizang/Tibet
The Potala Palace, Lhasa, Xizang/Tibet. Photo: Depositphotos.com

A narrative reframed

Combining these insights, the new narrative suggests that Western audiences might have been misled or at least not fully informed about the intricacies of Tibet’s history and the Dalai Lama’s role within it.

The portrayal of Tibet as a purely oppressed land yearning for freedom might have been overemphasized to fit Cold War narratives, where any resistance against communism was romanticized and supported.

These revelations urge reevaluating how we understand Tibet, its history, and its leaders. They call for a discourse that acknowledges the complexities of power, religion, and politics in Tibet, including the impact of foreign intelligence operations.

This reexamination might lead to a more nuanced understanding of the Dalai Lama’s legacy, not just as a spiritual figure but as a political one, and how internal and external forces have shaped Tibet’s story.

The articles from CGTN challenge the monolithic narrative of Tibet in Western media, suggesting a need for a more multifaceted view of its history. This could imply that the West, perhaps inadvertently, has been part of a broad Western propaganda effort that has simplified a deeply layered story for geopolitical ends.

 

Summary by T. Sassersson


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