Tibet has been a hot topic in 2008, dominating the news and setting word of mouth on fire. Partially responsible for this recent uproar is the fact that there has been a drastic rise in Tibetan protests.

The New York Times reports that in 2008, Beijing was facing “the most serious and prolonged demonstrations in Tibet since the late 1980s, when it suppressed a rebellion there with lethal force that left scores, and possibly hundreds, of ethnic Tibetans dead.”¹ 

Tibet has been under Chinese rule since the 1950s, when Chinese troops took over the region, disassembling the existing political structure. There have been several negotiations between the Chinese government and representatives of the Dalai Lama, but – until this day – to no avail.

The recent unrests commenced with the demonstrations on March 10, 2008, which represented the 49th anniversary of what has come to be known as Tibetan Uprising Day. The initial protests, which took place on March 10, 1959 in an effort to revolt against Beijing’s rule over Tibet, failed and consequently resulted in a violent concentrated effort to suppress Tibetan independence movements. The March 2008 uprising, also referred to as the “3-14” riots in China, resulted in a series of revolts and brutal altercations, and has once again put the global focus on Tibet.

Yet another reason for the recent focus on China’s reign over Tibet are the 2008 Summer Olympics, which kicked off with its opening ceremony in Beijing on August 8, 2008. The opening ceremonies were heavily protested by Pro-Tibetan independence activists. This recent focus on Tibet warrants a closer look at the effects that globalization has had – and continues to have – on this prominent country.

Trade and commerce

Globalization is often seen as a helpful tool in international trade, which has been simplified considerably by the reduction of trade barriers, improvement in financial systems and the expansion of markets. Tim Riley, the Director of the Economic Literacy Centre, defines this so-called economic globalization as “the process of increasing economic integration between two countries, leading to the emergence of a global marketplace or a single world market.”² 

One such tool to disentangle international trade is the free trade regime, implemented by the World Trade Organization, which allows for the unhindered trade of goods and services within or between countries, unconstrained by government-enforced restrictions. While a good implementation in theory, in the case of Tibet it is often argued that as a result, small Tibetan businesses are forced to compete with powerful Chinese and Western corporations in the so-called ‘free market’ environment.³ 

A more recent concern voiced by the Tibetan government is the Chinese government’s exploitation of Tibet’s natural resources, such as oil, as well as mineral and natural gas reserves. Perhaps Tibet’s history of submission to the Chinese government has influenced the country’s view of globalization. It stands to reason that, “to the Tibetans, globalization represents another framework for exploitation, imposed upon by China, without their approval or knowledge”.⁴

Culture

Beyond the effects of free trade on the Tibetan economy, many Tibetans think of globalization as a palpable threat to their culture and way of life.  For example, the Tibetan notion of reality and their feelings towards nature contradicts the industrious mentality driving globalization. According to Tenzin P. Atisha, Australia’s Dalai Lama representative,

Tibetans have a great respect for all forms of life. Traditionally Tibetans have always lived in harmony with nature. They obey the environmental decrees issued by the government. Through their religion Tibetans strive to improve the vitality of the earth and protect life on earth.⁵

Opponents of globalization often describe the phenomenon of globalization as a tool for unlimited production and consumption, ultimately conquering and exploiting nature. This ideology fundamentally clashes with the Buddhist way of thinking, which sees humans as a deep-seated part of nature. In the words of His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama,

If in our generation we exploit every available thing: trees, water, mineral resources or anything, without bothering about the next generation, about the future, that's our guilt, isn't it? So if we have a genuine sense of universal responsibility, as the central motivation and principle, then from that direction our relations with the environment will be well balanced. Similarly with every aspect of relationships, our relations with our neighbors, our family neighbors, or country neighbors, will be balanced from that direction.⁶

To some extent, these values, rooted deeply in the Tibetan culture, are perceived as endangered by the ongoing process of globalization.

Tourism

However, there have also been positive effects of globalization in Tibet, notably tourism. During the past couple of years, travel to Tibet has increased rapidly. Nearly four million tourists visited Tibet in 2007, bringing the region 4.4 billion yuan ($640 million).⁷

Unfortunately, Tibet’s booming tourism industry came to an abrupt halt in the wake of the brutal protests in March 2008 in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital. Shortly after the protests, the Chinese government halted tourism to Tibet by denying visitors the necessary entry permits. On June 25, 2008 the New York Times reported that China would once again allow foreign tourists into Tibet after ending a ban that was imposed following the anti-Chinese unrests three months prior.⁸ 

Even so, the temporary ban undoubtedly put a damper on Tibet’s tourism. According to Xinhua News, “in late July, the Tibet autonomous regional government said in a briefing that the March 14 violence had dealt a heavy blow to its tourism industry.”⁹

The Irony of Globalization

On April 28, 2008 BBC News reported that police in Southern China have shut down a factory that was manufacturing “Free Tibet” flags for overseas demonstrators. According to the BBC, “workers said they thought they were just making colorful flags and did not realize their meaning.”¹⁰  At that point, thousands of flags had already been prepared and boxed for shipping. The Chinese police fear that some may have already been sent overseas.

Tibet as a “Threat” to China?

At the present, China is considered the fastest growing economy in the world. This, no doubt, would not be possible without the accelerating effects of globalization. China is a member of the World Trade Organization and so benefits greatly from access to foreign markets. The country’s rapidly growing economy has increased the demand for energy. Currently, China is “the largest oil consumer after the U.S., and the world’s biggest producer of and consumer of oil.”¹¹

Now the Chinese government fears that the increasing global focus on Tibet (and the growing numbers of “Free Tibet” supporters) will harm China’s public image and – beyond that – will pose a serious threat to China’s standing among the world’s economic giants. As CNN reported earlier this year, protests in Britain and India, which followed the violent response to the Tibetan uprisings, raised talks of boycotting the Olympics.¹² 

In the same month, Icelandic singer Björk shouted “Tibet! Tibet!” after performing her song Declare Independence at a concert in Shanghai. As a result, the Chinese government will now tighten its control over foreign entertainers performing in China. Furthermore, it was reported that Steven Spielberg removed himself as an artistic advisor to the Olympic Games.¹³ 

These are only three of numerous examples of global responses to the current situation, which could potentially genuinely harm China’s public and global image.

Also, the Dalai Lama’s rising iconic status throughout the world is witnessed with trepidation by the Chinese government. One top Chinese official described the Dalai Lama as "a wolf wrapped in monk's robes, a devil with a human face and a beast's heart."¹⁴  Chinese officials refer to the March riots as a ploy by the Dalai Lama and his government to win back Tibetan independence and to break up China in the process.

However, the Dalai Lama has repeatedly stated that Tibet is solely seeking autonomy under Chinese authority, not complete independence for the
Tibetan people.

Image Sources:
“Free Tibet” – PicApp
Dalai Lama – WikiMedia Commons
Bjork - Wikimedia Commons