Common Questions About Tibet

What was Tibet like before the Chinese invasion?

Prior to the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1949, Tibet was an independent nation, largely isolated by the Himalayas. The people had developed a unique and peaceful culture based on the Mahayana and Vajrayana teachings of Buddhism, interwoven into their language, literature, art, and philosophy.

Tibet has never been a mythical "Shangri-La" fantasyland, contrary to how it is often depicted in the movies. Tibet had its own internal problems, just like any other country, and was a feudal theocracy. However, Tibet did exist as a peaceful community, with a quarter of its male population entering the monastery, and did live in harmony and respect with its often harsh Himalayan environment.

China and His Holiness the Dalai Lama:

The Communist Chinese invaded Tibet in 1949, resulting in a decade of turmoil and uneasiness. The current spiritual and temporal leader of Tibet, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, was forced to flee in 1959 with 100,000 Tibetans during an uprising that resulted in a bloody massacre of 87,000 Tibetans. The Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile now reside in Dharamsala, India, although the Dalai Lama travels tirelessly in an effort to increase world awareness of the Tibetan plight. For his continuing efforts at a nonviolent resolution with the Chinese, as well as for his peaceful teachings in Buddhism, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

What is Most Favored Nation (MFN) NTR?

Most Favored Nation status allows a country to export its goods to the United States with the lowest possible tariffs. Countries with non-market economies are prohibited from receiving MFN privileges; however, the President of the United States can waive these restrictions for one year if he certifies that a country is not denying its citizens the right or opportunity to emigrate.

Since 1980, each U.S. President has renewed China's MFN status despite evidence that there was not freedom of emigration in China. Since China's Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989, Congress has introduced legislation to condition MFN based on improvement of human rights, unfair trade practices, and weapons proliferation. In 1993, President Clinton granted MFN status to China, but with several conditions that must be met in order for China to receive renewal of its MFN status for the following year. One of these conditions is that China must make significant progress in protecting Tibet's religious and cultural heritage. Another is that China's human rights violations must be improved.

China has made no progress in either of these conditions. However, the MFN status continues to be granted to China.  MFN is now referred to as Normal Trade Relations, or NTR.

What can I do? Can I make a difference?

You can make a difference. Yes!

With 1.2 billion people, China represents a great potential source of income for business interests. Business lobbyists in this country are quite powerful and affect political policy. Despite these lobbyists, however, it is possible to affect governmental policy by increasing public awareness of the terror that Tibet and its people face, by writing to public officials, and by participating in letter-writing campaigns. Writing to newspapers and magazines, lobbying for revocation of Most Favored Nation (MFN) status towards China, and refusing to purchase goods made in China can make an impact.

Joining or offering financial support to Tibetan support groups such as SFOT, Tibetech.org, the International Campaign for Tibet, Students for a Free Tibet and other non-profit organizations is another way to help. Please visit our links page for more information.  Public awareness of China’s heinous human rights violations has increased and it remains important for all of us to continue to try and save what is left of the Tibetan people and culture before it is too late.