| "Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." Gautama Buddha |
Because of China’s illegal occupation, the people of Tibet have lost the right to determine their own destiny. But forced into exile, the Dalai Lama has become a compassionate leader for the world and a source of endless inspiration to resolve the Tibet-China conflict.
When Xi Jinping took over as China’s top leader in 2012, there were hopes that his reputation as a moderate and his father’s relationship with the Dalai Lama would lead to a softening of policies. Instead, Xi has proven to be a hardliner whose indefinite rule began this past month, unforeseen a decade ago.
By controlling Tibet’s environment, China controls life not just for Tibetans—but for the nearly 2 billion people across Asia that depend on Tibet’s water, land, and other resources. China is constructing massive dams on Tibetan rivers at an unprecedented pace. This weaponization of water and pollution from construction threatens nearly two billion people across Asia who depend on Tibet’s water.
At least 50 Tibetans have been persecuted for defending their environment, with four known deaths—one peaceful protestor was shot and killed by Chinese forces and three more died in prison. To make way for highways, mining projects, and sprawling development, tens of thousands of Tibetan nomads have been pushed off their lands.
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Ref. DC 084(2023)