Chinese Propaganda on Tibet: A Documentary History

Warren W. Smith

doi:10.5771/9781666916195

Summary

China has produced a tremendous amount of propaganda justifying its invasion and occupation of Tibet. This book reproduces excerpts from some of the most notable of these articles, along with a critical analysis. The primary themes of Chinese propaganda about Tibet are that Tibet has "always" been a part of China, thus there is no question about "Tibetan independence" or a Chinese "invasion" of Tibet; that the traditional Tibetan social system was a "dark, cruel, savage, feudal hell on earth" from which Tibetans welcomed their liberation by the CCP; and that China has selflessly assisted Tibetan social and economic development ever since while taking nothing from Tibet. China denies the legitimacy of any issues of Tibetan nationalism, self-determination or any desire by Tibetans for an independent political existence. Despite China's claims about the happiness of the Tibetan people, Tibetan resistance has continued. These excerpts from propaganda articles and documents reveal the political and cultural ideology of the Chinese as they attempt to maintain and justify their control over Tibet.