The Tibet Question

Melvyn C. Goldstein

What’s the origin of the conflict between the 14th Dalai Lama and China? What is the history of the relationships between Tibet and the Mongols under the Yuan dynasty, Ming, Qing, the Nationalists, and Mao?

In this 150-page book, The Snow Lion and the Dragon by Melvyn C Goldstein (1997), we have a concise history by an author who is considered one of the most balanced and neutral writers on this ‘wretched’ relationship.

Goldstein speaks and writes Tibetan. In his view, China under Deng Xiaoping was prepared to negotiate on all issues other than the independence of Tibet. (P 66).

The Dalai Lama wanted self-rule or a system of one country, two systems similar to Hong Kong. (P 113).

Goldstein, writing in 1996, said this was the stand of the Dalai Lama, then age 61.

He posits that if the Dalai Lama continues his current international campaign to keep China on the defensive through human rights attacks, nothing substantial can be achieved, as the US and Western powers are unwilling to provide more than moral and occasional vocal support. (P 114).

He suggested some options for the Dalai Lama to move forward, as China will just continue to be at the status quo while slowly but surely assimilating Tibet into China as one of its minorities, like other minorities living in China. Time is on China’s side.

The Dalai Lama is 90 in 2025. There is still no change in the status quo. It would appear Goldstein is right after all.

LWH, 9 Sep 2025, 11.30 pm

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