People often ask us for advice on how to respond to China’s misinformation campaign on Tibet. You know - the classic “Tibet was a feudal society where the mean Dalai Lamas ruled over the enslaved and miserable Tibetan serfs” argument. More and more often these days, this type of propaganda is being forwarded not just by the Chinese leadership and well-known China apologists (like Tom Grunfeld and Mel Goldstein) but by a host of scholars, writers and other characters in the west.

While it is frustrating and upsetting to have to listen to this from Chinese sources - I’m sure many would agree (especially Tibetans) that it is absolutely maddening to have to hear it from western students, academics and writers; or put more simply, people who should know better!

There is a document that can help illuminate where some of this wrong information may be coming from. On June 12, 2000 the Chinese government convened a meeting on “Tibet-related external propaganda and Tibetology work in the new era.” A leaked document from this meeting shows just how much China feels threatened by increasing support for Tibet in the world and how seriously they take our actions. In fact, the Chinese leadership has plotted a course of action, which includes using western intellectuals to “promote our views in western society.”

Overall, this is good news for Tibet. It is good news for the thousands of people around the world who have worked to bring the Tibetan struggle to the world stage. It shows that we are being successful, that China is sensitive to criticism and they are regrouping in order to fight us.

Remember the quote from Gandhi:

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”

Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to keep up the good fight.

Please read:

Leaked Chinese Government Propaganda Document

China’s Favorite Propaganda on Tibet…and Why It’s Wrong

“Friendly Feudalism” by Michael Parenti

“A Lie Repeated: The Far Left’s Flawed View of Tibet” by Josh Schrei