Book decimates Chinese claims on Tibet with meticulous research

A new book challenges China's propaganda by presenting facts on Tibet's occupation.

- VIJAY KRANTI

A book comes up as a logical and convincing answer to the Chinese about their colonial occupation of Tibet, East Turkistan and South Mongolia.

Since China has acquired new economic, military and diplomatic muscles it has started imposing these claims and narratives on the world community about one of its most touchy core issues viz. its colonial occupation of Tibet, East Turkistan and South Mongolia. China has not only declared every issue related to these countries as its 'internal matter' which no government or institution can even discuss openly. It also wants everyone to refer to the Tibetans, Uyghurs and Mongols as 'ethnic minorities' of PRC and frowns upon any attempt to term any of them as a 'country'. This Chinese aggression has now reached the levels that it has started dictating world governments and institutions to refer to Tibet as 'Xizang'-a clear attempt to wipe out even the idea of 'Tibet' from international community's mindscape.

In this context an inter esting and a forceful book, which is based on almost ten years of research by two dedicated and committed researchers has come as a great relief to those who want to see history and related facts free from the Chinese coloured narratives. This research includes analysis and engagement with Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan and Manchu historians, experts and non-Chinese historical sources. This book, titled Tibet Explained: Legal status, rights and state responsibility, published by Har-Anand of New Delhi and written jointly by Michael Van Walt Van Praag and Miek Boltjes, is one of the most outstanding works of research on Tibet since it was occupied 74 years ago in 1951. Both of these authors are internationally acknowledged specialists in interstate conflict and international law.