Hu Jintao Goes to Lhasa? Robert Thurman’s Modest Proposal
SAN FRANCISCO, October 2, 2008 – Prolific Tibet scholar Robert Thurman is a man on a mission. In his new book Why the Dalai Lama Matters, which he recently discussed before a San Francisco audience, he offers a provocative plan for establishing Tibet’s autonomy, and argues that Tibetan autonomy is a benefit to Tibet, the rest of the world, and most of all, to China.
Chinese rule of Tibet has been a disaster, said Thurman during the discussion held at KQED Radio. Tibet has seen its ecosystem destroyed, and its religion, language, and culture repressed. According to the scholar, Lhasa has been transformed from an inspiring city into the “armed camp” it resembles today. China’s Tibet policies have not been good for China either, particularly for the country’s international image.
Thurman called for an end to this. He argued that China should grant autonomy to Tibet, and Tibetans should embrace autonomy under a “one country, two systems” model based on mainland China’s arrangement with Hong Kong. A top priority should be restoring Tibet’s devastated environment. This, Thurman explained, would help resolve long-running tensions between China and Tibet and win Beijing international kudos for its forward-thinking goodwill.
One review of the book cited the plan as both “highly commonsensical and wildly improbable.” But Thurman believes that Chinese leadership just might go for it, reminiscent of a Nixon-goes-to-China moment, where Hu Jintao, secure in the conservative wing of the Communist Party, extends a fig leaf.
While the influential scholar focused his remarks on politics, he followed a “Middle Way” approach to conflict resolution. In his view, China will rule most effectively not through rigidity or repression, but with non-violence. “Never imprison your opponent in a view when he cannot change his mind,” Thurman advised. “Show respect, keep appealing to reason, and take the long view.” This, he argued, is the only way to achieve true reform in Tibet, and other troubled parts of the globe.
The program was held at KQED Radio, the largest national public radio station in the US, and was moderated by Scott Shafer, host and correspondent for KQED’s California Report program.
Reported by Robert Bullock, Asia Society Northern California