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Elliot Sperling and Robbie Barnett are both scholars in Tibetan studies at major US universities, and are reasonable choices for interviewing and quoting. Recent harsh police crackdowns on attempts to celebrate publicly the Dalai Lama's birthday suggest that the supposed policy shift may have merely been a trial balloon or even a cruel hoax by Party apparatchiks.
Jul 09, 2013 01:20 AM
Reply to this commentThis story has not been confirmed but even if true does not prove a more liberal attitude of the Party in Tibetan areas. It only applies to Tibetans in Qinghai & Sichuan, not in the TAR and still bans political speech. The Chinese Govt has no legal authority to ban political speech of Tibetans or Chinese people. It's shows China doesn't respect the free speech rights of Tibetans.
Matt Tan has been reading too much CCP propaganda. The Yuan was a Mongol empire, not a Chinese one. The Yuan never considered Tibet to be part of China & Tibet got its independence from Yuan in 14th century. Tibet & Ming Dynasty had no relations. The Manchu Qing did turn Tibet into a vassal state but the Manchus never considered Tibet to be part of China. Tibet has been completely independent since 1912 until PLA invasion of 1950. It's clear that even today Tibetans do not want to live under Chinese colonial rule.
Jul 01, 2013 04:03 PM
Reply to this commentIt is difficult to understand why RFA sought scholarly opinion from Elliot Sperling, given that his open support for Tibetan Independence. It is difficult to imagine how a scholar who actively supports a political approach and vehemently disagrees with other approaches could give an unbiased and objective opinion on the issue? The guy is premeditated, don't expect an unbiased opinion.
Jun 30, 2013 03:35 AM
Reply to this commentTibet was made part of China by the Mongols in the 13th century. Always part of China. United Nations refused to consider Tibet "independence" case. Check out any reputable encyclopedia before 1950 (before Cold War era propaganda).
Jun 29, 2013 05:00 AM
Reply to this commentThief accuses people as thief. Tibet is Tibet invated and made colony by China, not a domain of China. ,
Jun 28, 2013 06:19 AM
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Robbie should not be compared with Elliot.
Robbie is a true scholar and his analysis brings unparalleled insights of the Tibet issue. His work through the years is testament to that.
Elliot is more interested in exile Tibetan politics than on research on Tibet. He is kind of a scholar that engages in supporting a particular group of exile Tibetans who supports Independence. He uses his work to attack the other group. He's not reliable.
Jul 12, 2013 01:45 AM
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