Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 27: Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the former President of the Tibetan Government in Exile known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), cautioned Taiwan against potentially facing a fate similar to Tibet if Beijing continues its aggressive policies. In an exclusive interview with Taiwan Talks, Dr. Sangay drew stark parallels between China’s historical approach to Tibet and its current stance on Taiwan, highlighting the Chinese regime’s systematic expansionism.
Dr. Sangay reflected on China’s historical territorial expansion, pointing out that Han Chinese traditionally lived within the Great Wall for thousands of years. “Up north, it was the Manchus and Mongols who were considered barbarians and foreigners. Toward the west, East Turkestan (Xinjiang), Uyghurs, and Tibetans were also seen as barbarians and foreigners,” he explained. He emphasised that the Great Wall marked the historical border of China for centuries, with successive emperors focused on maintaining and fortifying it. “Now, they’ve gone beyond that boundary and claim these regions as part of China. The area traditionally inhabited by Han Chinese constitutes only about 40% of the current territory they control. Their expansionist design has now moved southward to claim Taiwan, East China Sea, and South China Sea,” he noted, adding, “What happened to Tibet could happen to Taiwan next.”
He also addressed the narrative China has employed to justify its control over regions like East Turkestan (Xinjiang) and Tibet, framing it as a mission to stabilise, liberate, and develop those regions. “This is a classic colonial argument,” he stated. “They portray these regions as feudal, backward, and poor, claiming to have brought prosperity and civilisation. This narrative expects gratitude from the colonised to the coloniser. If you read Chinese history textbooks, they explain the so-called ‘100 years of humiliation’ this way, but now the victim has become the victimiser. Tibetans, as victims, are not even supposed to complain.”
The Harvard educated statesman highlighted a broader pattern of repression under Beijing, linking Tibet’s plight to the genocide in the Uyghur region, crackdowns in Inner Mongolia, and the erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong. “In the past, Tibet was seen as an exception. The international community used to say, ‘Tibet is an exception,’ but now there is a clear pattern,” he remarked. “The repression of Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongolians, and Hongkongers, along with the increasing pressure and intimidation on Taiwan, clearly shows that we are dealing with a systematic strategy on the part of Beijing to expand its region.”
Dr. Sangay pointed out China’s longstanding “Five Fingers and Palm Strategy,” a concept attributed to Mao Zedong. He explained that Mao envisioned Tibet as the palm that must be occupied, with the five fingers being the regions of Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, and Arunachal Pradesh. Galwan Valley lies in Ladakh, while Doklam borders Bhutan and Sikkim, a chokepoint for India. Arunachal Pradesh has seen ongoing conflicts and tensions, and recent revelations indicate the construction of over 300 border villages stretching from Tibet’s Karakoram to Myanmar. This demonstrates China’s strategic intrusions into neighbouring countries, including Nepal, Bhutan, and India, as Mao’s vision is systematically implemented today.
He further emphasised, “If you want to understand China, you must first understand Tibet. Without understanding Tibet, you’ll never understand China. The blueprint of their United Front approach—marked by cooptation and intimidation—was perfected in Tibet and is now being replicated globally. What unfolded in Hong Kong, where they used the United Front to ‘win without fighting,’ is a stark example. This strategy is likely being employed in Taiwan as well.
The warning from the former CTA President comes against the backdrop of Beijing’s escalating military aggression in the Taiwan Strait, where China has intensified pressure on the self-governed island through frequent air and naval drills. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly reaffirmed Beijing’s resolve to achieve reunification with Taiwan, viewing the island as an inseparable part of China’s territory.
Taiwan, however, staunchly rejects these claims. President Lai Ching-te, a vocal proponent of Taiwan’s sovereignty, has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, which has labelled him a “dangerous separatist.” Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) firmly upholds Taiwan’s distinct identity and rejects China’s sovereignty assertions. Despite President Lai’s repeated calls for dialogue, Beijing has rebuffed these efforts, dismissing them as threats to China’s territorial integrity.
Dr Lobsang Sangye need to be alert when he is being interviewed. During an interview with Indian channel the News X anchor Megha Sharma few years ago, she started with the lines: “The Dalai Lama said, Tibet is part of China and Tibetan culture is Chinese culture”!!! Dr Lobsang Sangye didn’t clarify or reject that the Dalai Lama has ever made such statements! It seems that he immediately avoids controversy when he hears the name of the Dalai Lama. He never questioned Meghan Sharma, where she came across such statement by the Dalai Lama! The fact is, THE DALAI LAMA NEVER EVER SAID “Tibet is part of China” at any time anywhere! Recently, while he was interviewed by the Taiwanese anchor Yvette King, she again started with the same question: “The Dalai Lama said, Tibetan culture is Chinese culture and Tibetan language is Chinese language etc”!!! The ex-Sikyong skirted the question by saying “if Tibet is granted autonomy then …..” Yevette interjected and said, “so it’s conditional”? for which he replied in the affirmative! Even so, he never questioned, where and when did the Dalai Lama said those words which she was putting into his mouth! He must be careful not to accept words and statements which are put into his mouth in his attempt to be nice or courteous. Such statements attributed to the Dalai Lama are FALSE!!! The Dalai Lama NEVER MADE SUCH STATEMENTS! For a start, he is on record having said, “the Chinese government wants me to acknowledge, “Tibet is part of China”, I told them, I AM A BUDDHIST MONK AND SO I CANNOT LIE”. During an interview with Times of India reporter, Sabina Sehgal on December 13th 1991, after the conclusion of the Chinese Premier Li Peng’s visit to India, The Dalai Lama was asked about the reference to Tibet in the Joint Communique signed between India and China where China had insisted the inclusion of “Tibet as part of China“ and how he felt about it, The Dalai Lama unequivocally replied, TIBET IS NOT PART OF CHINA”. Therefore, the Dalai Lama has never ever said, “Tibet is part of China or Tibetan culture is Chinese culture”. Dr Sangye must not compromise on principles that are historical facts! He should immediately question their veracity and not accept false narratives that are fed to him either through ignorence or ulterior motives!