Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Future of Tibet
China is playing the long game in Tibet. It is betting that over time economic
advancement will win over Tibetan hearts and minds and compensate for the
lack of religious and political freedoms; it's certainly a payoff that seems to
be working in the rest of China. As Tibetans struggle with the perceived lack
of control over their land, religion and resources, many reply that they are
not so easily bought. Alienation and tension looks set to remain high on the
plateau.
Encouragingly, Tibet is now seriously cool among Chinese backpackers from Běijīng to
Guǎngzhōu, many of whom are as enamoured with Tibet as their Western counterparts.
Full Speed Ahead
As ground is broken on airports and a new series of rail links, China's future policy in Tibet
is clear: invest billions on massive economic development to improve the lives of hundreds
of thousands of Tibetans.
Unfortunately, the modernisation is squarely on China's terms. Questions over the suitab-
ility and sustainability of hydroelectric projects, mining and mass tourism look set to dom-
inate the next decade, as environmental problems intensify alongside exploitation.
Moreover, with a transient migrant Chinese population spearheading the economic growth,
the bulk of the profits from mining, tourism and other industries in Tibet are flowing
straight out of the plateau back into China. It's a bittersweet boom that looks set only to ac-
celerate.
'The empire long divided, must unite; long united it must divide. Thus has it ever been.' Ro-
mance of the Three Kingdoms, 14th century
 
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