When I studied in Beijing, I had eight Tibetan classmates. And like most Chinese friends, I have much concern about Tibetan issues. However, many Americans neglect that Tibet has been part of China for more than 700 years, which makes me disappointed. As a believer in peace, I’d like to share my opinion of the Tibetan issues.
First, is it really a simple protest? Terrorists in Tibet set fire to shops, schools and houses and bribed citizens to protest against the police. Their intention is to arouse the world’s attention, which they’ll use to force the Olympic Games to fail and separate China.
Second, does China really mistreat the Tibetan people? China helps Tibet build hospitals, schools and roads, which greatly improve the lives of Tibetans. For example, according to The Indian Express, the infant mortality rate in Tibet has dropped from 43 percent in the 1950s to about 3 percent in 2004.
Third, before you criticize one person, walk a mile in his or her shoes. A documentary about the American Civil War says if the U.S. was divided into two countries, it also could be divided into three or four countries. Actually, most people, including both Americans and Chinese, don’t want their country to be fractured into pieces.
I’d rather welcome people to visit China and better understand China, including Tibet, instead of only reading news from the media. It’s better for us to open our eyes and hearts to see Tibetan history, its reality and future.
Langhua Hu
applied mathematics graduate student
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