The Tibet Question

Speaker Pelosi presented the first Lantos Human Rights Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama this morning in the Capitol Visitor Center. Named for the late Congressman and human rights activist Tom Lantos, the Lantos Human Rights Prize is intended to raise awareness about human rights violations and honor the brave individuals who are committed to fighting for human rights throughout the world. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Not even the Dalai Lama is asking for Tibet to become an independent country. I am not going to exceed him in my expectations for Tibet. When the Dalai Lama was in Tibet one person was the religious leader of the Tibetan people, and the same person was also the political leader. How do I feel about that? How do I feel about bullock carts compared to bullet trains? The same person being the religious and political leader by birth is a political bullock cart. It is not a modern concept. And there is no ancient boundary I am beholden to. This is the age of globalization, internet and trans-continental trains. National boundaries matter less and less. What matters is trade.

But then human rights are religion to me. Free speech is religion to me. Religious freedom is religion to me. Political reform is in Beijing's best interests. It is not true the Chinese economy is too mature to attempt double digit growth rates. But the only way China goes back to double digit growth rates now is if it engages in fundamental political reform.

But then that does not mean copying the American system. If America were to get more democratic, it would bring about fundamental campaign finance reform. If America were to become better at respecting human rights, the American police would not brutalize African Americans, and the American criminal justice would not be so skewed against them. So, just like China, America itself is a work in progress.

China moving towards political pluralism and free speech takes it to cutting edges of technology. China going federal integrates it with Taiwan.

Tibet has seen progress in the physical sphere. You see shiny trains. But its cultural heritage remains sacrosanct. And I never have never will approve of the police brutalization of peacefully protesting Tibetan protesters in Kathmandu.

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Vibrant Federalism In Nepal Is Also About Tibet

English: The Fourth Dalai Lama, Yonten Gyatso (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: The Tenth Dalai Lama, Tsultrim Gyatso (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Vibrant federalism in Nepal is not just about Nepal, it is also about Tibet. Tibet has been an integral part of South Asia for as long as anyone can remember. And China's efforts to link Lhasa to Lumbini and Lhasa to Sikkim by railway is commendable.

Noone is arguing for Tibet as a separate country. But there can be no compromise on human rights, there can be no compromise on religious freedom. Tibetans deserve democracy just as much as anyone else.

The Chinese Communist Party has lifted more people out of poverty than any other political party in the history of humanity, and there are lessons there for India, for Africa and other parts of the world. And I don't see the political system in America as all good, and the political system in China as all bad. The democracy in America itself is a work in progress, always will be. I like to say America can learn campaign finance reform from China. But then China can also learn political pluralism from America. China can learn free speech.

I look forward to a day when Taiwan is truly integrated into China, in a China that is a democracy like Taiwan, and where Taiwan and Tibet are states inside a federal China like Gujrat and Arunachal Pradesh are states in India.

Madhesh is where the Buddha was born. And Tibet is where his teachings flourished like no place else. So the Madhesh feels strongly about the plight of Tibetans and their right to religious freedom. And, yes, the Dalai Lama has a right to visit Tibet. China should spot demonizing the Dalai Lama who is a delightful presence on this planet.

I want China to do well. I would like to see China go back to double digit growth rates. It is my determination that now the only way China can go back to double digit growth rates is if it engages in fundamental political reform. You can not give birth to the industries of tomorrow if you do not celebrate free speech, pure and simple. A China that has polluted itself beyond recognition should seek to take the lead on clean energy industries. I hope it does that. So it is not like I don't want the best for China. I do. But China for too long has thought it can ill treat Tibetans and get away with it. That can not stand.

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