Let’s see what the U.S. government has been saying over the years, so feel free to hurl rocks toward them:
“For its part, the Government of the United States has borne in mind the fact that the Chinese Government has long claimed sovereignty over Tibet and that the Chinese constitution lists Tibet among areas constituting the territory of the Republic of China. This Government has at no time raised a question regarding either of these claims.” Department of State, 15 May 1943
“I stated that, despite the large degree of autonomy that existed in Tibet, the U.S. Government had traditionally recognized and continued to recognize the de jure sovereignty of China, with whom we maintained the most cordial relations.” Fulton Freeman, Department of State, August 1948
“What is U.S. policy toward Tibet? The United States considers the Tibet Autonomous Region or TAR hereafter referred to as “Tibet” as part of the People’s Republic of China. This long-standing policy is consistent with the view of the entire international community, including all China’s neighbors: no country recognizes Tibet as a sovereign state. U.S. acceptance of China’s claim of sovereignty over Tibet predates the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. For instance, in 1942, we told the Nationalist Chinese government then headquartered in Chongqing (Chungking) that we had ‘at no time raised (a) question’ over Chinese claims to Tibet.” Jeffrey Bader, Department of State, testimony to the Congress, 13 May 1997
“Historically, the United States has acknowledged Chinese sovereignty over Tibet. Since at least 1966, U.S. policy has explicitly recognized the Tibetan Autonomous Region…as part of the People’s Republic of China.” Department of State, Relations of the United States with Tibet, 1995
March 26, 2008 at 2:03 pm |
I don’t see the point. What we say in policy, and what we want for a group of people who would like to shake free of control to basic humans freedoms, is seperate and will continue to be seperate. It’s chess. It’s strategy.
We are allies with Saudi Arabia, but condem other kingdoms/dictatorships. Strategically it is critical for decent to good relations with China.
Lastly, I spoke with a Chinese woman recently, who stated the people of China feel it is an internal issue. I would have to agree. Regardless, these quotes above do not show anything suprising.
March 26, 2008 at 5:46 pm |
That’s the point where the two (eastern and western) cultures differ. What you view as two separate issues have to be combined into one in China.
For the Westerners, it is easy to say that human rights can be separated from everything else, even on top of the sovereignty of a country. But before you say that, remember China, for the past 100 years prior to 1949, had been split into many parts and unifying and fighting for the integrity of its territory is the utmost goal of any political leader or party. To keep this goal, sacrifice has to happen. This perhaps is the “face” issue that people talk about a lot, but few in the west may really understand.
April 29, 2008 at 3:15 pm |
At least read what you have typed before posting it
April 30, 2008 at 3:18 am |
oops, I copied this from somewhere else and forgot to check spelling.