张诗高：“Greater Tibet” never existed historically

A leading Chinese scholar has criticized U.S. President Joe Biden's signing of a bill on Xizang, saying its real intention is to hinder China's development. The"Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act" was signed into law on Friday. The legislation recognizes a region described as"Greater Tibet" and provides funding for acts to counter what it describes as Chinese disinformation about Tibet. Huang Yue spoke to the director of the Institute of Contemporary Studies at the China Tibetology Research Center.

The latest U.S. Xizang-related Act redefines Tibet to include not only the Xizang Autonomous Region, but also the Tibetan areas in Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces. This is seen to validate the"Greater Tibet" notion advocated for by the Dalai Lama and his supporters.

However, a leading Chinese scholar argues that"Greater Tibet" did not exist historically, and is a concept that aims to create division.

ZHANG SHIGAO Director of Institute of Contemporary Studies China Tibetology Research Center"Historically, there has never been a so-called'Greater Tibet.' The reason the Dalai group and some Western forces propose this notion is that separatists include not only the former local upper class of Xizang but also some chieftains or their descendants from Tibetan areas in other provinces. Without advocating for'Greater Tibet' their group would face disintegration."

The U.S. bill also asks the U.S. government and its Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues to counter what it describes as"disinformation about Tibet" from the Chinese government. Zhang Shigao says the Act itself spreads disinformation.

ZHANG SHIGAO Director of Institute of Contemporary Studies China Tibetology Research Center"You can tell from its name:'Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act.' But there is no dispute as it claims. After years of development, Xizang now enjoys a growing economy and a stable society. Different ethnic groups live harmoniously, and there's a friendly environment for religious activities. So where does the so-called dispute come from?"

Zhang emphasizes that the Tibetan people are integral members of the Chinese nation, making their history and development an inseparable part of Chinese history. He says the regions inhabited by Tibetans have always been within the boundaries of ancient China. And that's why it's indisputable that Xizang has been part of China since ancient times.

HUANG YUE Lhasa, Xizang Autonomous Region"Walking around the Potala Palace and seeing locals and tourists enjoying their leisure time, it might be hard to imagine that 65 years ago, the plateau region was still a society of feudal serfdom. According to a whitepaper released by China last year, today's Xizang has eradicated extreme poverty with people's income level growing rapidly. Children enjoy 15 years of publicly funded education without paying for school meals, tuition, and lodging. Freedom of religious belief and religious activities is guaranteed, and comprehensive coverage has been achieved for monks and nuns in medical insurance, pensions, and subsistence allowances. Huang Yue, CGTN, Lhasa, Xizang Autonomous Region."

（来源：CGTN，受访者张诗高系 当代研究所所长）