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Tibet, the Dalai Lama and the Power Struggle with China

September 2, 2024

The 14th Dalai Lama is 89 years old. The question of who will succeed him has sparked a power struggle between India and China.

https://p.dw.com/p/4jB03
Tibet, the Dalai Lama and the Power Struggle with China
Image: ZED

Beijing wants to be solely in charge of choosing the next Tibetan spiritual leader. In its eyes, Tibet belongs to China.

Tibet, the Dalai Lama and the Power Struggle with China
Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th Dalai Lama. He is a Buddhist monk and lineage holder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism.Image: ZED

The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since 1959. The older he gets, the more important the question of his succession becomes — not only for the future of Tibet, but also for global geopolitics. India, the United States and the European Union support Tibet, which has demanded autonomy since its annexation by China in 1950. China, meanwhile, does not recognize the Dalai Lama's government in exile.

Beijing is now determined to take sole responsibility for appointing the next Dalai Lama, raising fears that the debate could have serious political consequences. Tensions between China and India have been exacerbated by a conflict over a disputed border, which has been smoldering since 1962.

Tibet, the Dalai Lama and the Power Struggle with China
Although a Tibetan government existed until 1959, Tibet had been under de facto Chinese rule since the invasion by the People's Liberation Army in 1950.Image: ZED

When Mao Tse-tung's People's Liberation Army invaded Tibet, India lost the Buddhist neighbor that lay between it and Communist China. With the Tibetan people forced to assimilate, India granted asylum to the 14th Dalai Lama and numerous other refugees, much to Mao Tse-tung's displeasure. Since then, conflict has simmered, especially in the disputed Himalayan border region.

Tibet, the Dalai Lama and the Power Struggle with China
Five of Asia's largest rivers have their source in Tibet. Alongside the Arctic and Antarctic, the Tibetan highlands hold the largest reserves of fresh water.Image: ZED

By taking power in Tibet, China was also able to secure valuable mineral resources such as chromium, copper, borax, uranium and lithium. It also gained control over the sources of Asia's largest rivers -- something India sees as a threat to its supplies of fresh water.

Tibet, the Dalai Lama and the Power Struggle with China
The Chinese government forces three out of four Tibetan pupils to attend colonial boarding schools. From the age of four, the children are separated from their parents and sent to boarding schools. Image: ZED

Tibetans themselves are caught in a standoff between the two most populous nations in the world, which are also major economic powers. It is not easy for them to make their voices heard, despite the best efforts of their spiritual leader.
 

Broadcasting Hours: 

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Part 1

FRI 27.09.2024 – 01:15 UTC
FRI 27.09.2024 – 04:15 UTC
SAT 28.09.2024 – 13:15 UTC
SUN 29.09.2024 – 19:15 UTC
MON 30.09.2024 – 09:15 UTC
MON 30.09.2024 – 16:15 UTC
MON 30.09.2024 – 21:15 UTC
WED 02.10.2024 – 12:15 UTC

 

Part 2

FRI 04.10.2024 – 01:15 UTC
FRI 04.10.2024 – 04:15 UTC
SAT 05.10.2024 – 13:15 UTC
SUN 06.10.2024 – 19:15 UTC
MON 07.10.2024 – 09:15 UTC
MON 07.10.2024 – 16:15 UTC
MON 07.10.2024 – 21:15 UTC
WED 09.10.2024 – 12:15 UTC

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