CHINA, TIBET, OPINION: Tibet, A Major Part of China’s Beauty
By Beryl Hou
In front of you is a beautiful stretch of open land, which lies in the west of China. Here all lives live in harmony with their surroundings. On the broad grasslands, cattle enjoy their lavish and tasteful meals; sheep raise their languid eyes to gaze upon the deep blue sky; grass dances merrily with the gentle breeze; a beautiful girl shepherd wears typical Tibetan clothes while her beautiful songs pierce the air straight to heaven. These all set up a blaze of color that flames and flickers both in the eyes and the hearts of the people who see the striking landscape. No doubt it is a paradise on earth--one of the souls of the beauty of China.
Since the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951, it has developed with sheer high speed. Owing to the regional ethnic autonomy policy China has adopted and the Democratic Reform in 1959, Tibet has made a historical leap in its social system and is marching at a rapid pace toward modernization. It is on its way to getting rid of poverty and backwardness. So far, the Central Government has paid special attention to Tibet and Tibet has received aid from all parts of China. With the development of the Western Region policy, greater efforts on economic construction in Tibet will lead to even more stability.
Although there are some unsteady factors in Tibet, it is a part of China that won't and cannot be changed with time. China is a great union and the 56 peoples in it are like brothers. The blood tie is unshakeable. It is only in China that Tibet can develop fully. China can provide Tibet with a peaceful environment and tremendous help nationwide. The Tibetans are under the protection and care of the Central Government and they are getting used to the way of life. To them, "East and west, home is best." In China, they are at home, a sense of security floods over them; they are embraced by the whole nation.
Since mutual support is a Chinese traditional value, Tibetan people receive help in all aspects. Just as our national anthem goes: "Arise! Arise! Arise! All our hearts become one. Let us face the enemy's gunfire. March on! Let us face the enemy's gunfire. March on! March on! March on! On!"
I believe firmly that if we 56 peoples go hand in hand, difficulties will vanish. Tibet will have a promising and bright future.
In front of you is a beautiful stretch of open land, which lies in the west of China. Here all lives live in harmony with their surroundings. On the broad grasslands, cattle enjoy their lavish and tasteful meals; sheep raise their languid eyes to gaze upon the deep blue sky; grass dances merrily with the gentle breeze; a beautiful girl shepherd wears typical Tibetan clothes while her beautiful songs pierce the air straight to heaven. These all set up a blaze of color that flames and flickers both in the eyes and the hearts of the people who see the striking landscape. No doubt it is a paradise on earth--one of the souls of the beauty of China.
Since the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951, it has developed with sheer high speed. Owing to the regional ethnic autonomy policy China has adopted and the Democratic Reform in 1959, Tibet has made a historical leap in its social system and is marching at a rapid pace toward modernization. It is on its way to getting rid of poverty and backwardness. So far, the Central Government has paid special attention to Tibet and Tibet has received aid from all parts of China. With the development of the Western Region policy, greater efforts on economic construction in Tibet will lead to even more stability.
Although there are some unsteady factors in Tibet, it is a part of China that won't and cannot be changed with time. China is a great union and the 56 peoples in it are like brothers. The blood tie is unshakeable. It is only in China that Tibet can develop fully. China can provide Tibet with a peaceful environment and tremendous help nationwide. The Tibetans are under the protection and care of the Central Government and they are getting used to the way of life. To them, "East and west, home is best." In China, they are at home, a sense of security floods over them; they are embraced by the whole nation.
Since mutual support is a Chinese traditional value, Tibetan people receive help in all aspects. Just as our national anthem goes: "Arise! Arise! Arise! All our hearts become one. Let us face the enemy's gunfire. March on! Let us face the enemy's gunfire. March on! March on! March on! On!"
I believe firmly that if we 56 peoples go hand in hand, difficulties will vanish. Tibet will have a promising and bright future.
10 Comments:
At 7:47 PM , Anonymous said...
I can't help but read your post and wonder:
a) What is your point? To remind the reader that Tibet is a wonderful place and that all 56 ethnic groups of China must "go hand in hand" so that "difficulties will vanish"? What difficulties? Why is this important to tell us?
b) Why is it that I always read things written in China talking about beautiful shepherd girls? What about the ugly shepherd girls? Are there no ugly girls in Tibet? Are girls only shepherds in Tibet? And why is it everyone mentions that they live in harmony with nature and like singing? Do Tibetans do nothing else?
c) Both you and Shi Rui refer to the "beautiful shepherd girls"... but he never spoke to her, or told us what she had to say. In fact, he doesn't mention speaking to any Tibetans during his trip. There must be some Tibetans in Beijing... have you talked to them about their province and people? Why don't you interview one?
d) You ascribe certain ideas to Tibetans in general, as if all of them believe the same things. For example, "Here ALL lives live in harmony with their surroundings" (maybe some don't like living in rural areas and want to live in Shanghai!), "they are getting used to the way of life" (what is that new way of life? what are the difficulties? what are their hopes for the future?), or "In China, they are at home, a sense of security floods over them"... again, did a Tibetan tell you this?
e) You say "It is on its way to getting rid of poverty and backwardness"... I'm not sure about the Chinese language, but I know in English if I call someone "backward" they get offended. Yes, Tibet is still developing and could use more modern advancement, but this particular word is considered rather condescending. Combined with the constant references to Tibetans being at one with nature, having pretty shepherd girls and singing all the time, I want to know: where are the Tibetan computer programmers? Business people? Novelists? Filmmakers? Engineers? Airline pilots? Web designers? Journalism students?
There must be some... I don't see that story in China. I'd love it if you went and found it.
At 7:47 PM , Anonymous said...
I can't help but read your post and wonder:
a) What is your point? To remind the reader that Tibet is a wonderful place and that all 56 ethnic groups of China must "go hand in hand" so that "difficulties will vanish"? What difficulties? Why is this important to tell us?
b) Why is it that I always read things written in China talking about beautiful shepherd girls? What about the ugly shepherd girls? Are there no ugly girls in Tibet? Are girls only shepherds in Tibet? And why is it everyone mentions that they live in harmony with nature and like singing? Do Tibetans do nothing else?
c) Both you and Shi Rui refer to the "beautiful shepherd girls"... but he never spoke to her, or told us what she had to say. In fact, he doesn't mention speaking to any Tibetans during his trip. There must be some Tibetans in Beijing... have you talked to them about their province and people? Why don't you interview one?
d) You ascribe certain ideas to Tibetans in general, as if all of them believe the same things. For example, "Here ALL lives live in harmony with their surroundings" (maybe some don't like living in rural areas and want to live in Shanghai!), "they are getting used to the way of life" (what is that new way of life? what are the difficulties? what are their hopes for the future?), or "In China, they are at home, a sense of security floods over them"... again, did a Tibetan tell you this?
e) You say "It is on its way to getting rid of poverty and backwardness"... I'm not sure about the Chinese language, but I know in English if I call someone "backward" they get offended. Yes, Tibet is still developing and could use more modern advancement, but this particular word is considered rather condescending. Combined with the constant references to Tibetans being at one with nature, having pretty shepherd girls and singing all the time, I want to know: where are the Tibetan computer programmers? Business people? Novelists? Filmmakers? Engineers? Airline pilots? Web designers? Journalism students?
There must be some... I don't see that story in China. I'd love it if you went and found it.
At 7:48 PM , Anonymous said...
I can't help but read your post and wonder:
a) What is your point? To remind the reader that Tibet is a wonderful place and that all 56 ethnic groups of China must "go hand in hand" so that "difficulties will vanish"? What difficulties? Why is this important to tell us?
b) Why is it that I always read things written in China talking about beautiful shepherd girls? What about the ugly shepherd girls? Are there no ugly girls in Tibet? Are girls only shepherds in Tibet? And why is it everyone mentions that they live in harmony with nature and like singing? Do Tibetans do nothing else?
c) Both you and Shi Rui refer to the "beautiful shepherd girls"... but he never spoke to her, or told us what she had to say. In fact, he doesn't mention speaking to any Tibetans during his trip. There must be some Tibetans in Beijing... have you talked to them about their province and people? Why don't you interview one?
d) You ascribe certain ideas to Tibetans in general, as if all of them believe the same things. For example, "Here ALL lives live in harmony with their surroundings" (maybe some don't like living in rural areas and want to live in Shanghai!), "they are getting used to the way of life" (what is that new way of life? what are the difficulties? what are their hopes for the future?), or "In China, they are at home, a sense of security floods over them"... again, did a Tibetan tell you this?
e) You say "It is on its way to getting rid of poverty and backwardness"... I'm not sure about the Chinese language, but I know in English if I call someone "backward" they get offended. Yes, Tibet is still developing and could use more modern advancement, but this particular word is considered rather condescending. Combined with the constant references to Tibetans being at one with nature, having pretty shepherd girls and singing all the time, I want to know: where are the Tibetan computer programmers? Business people? Novelists? Filmmakers? Engineers? Airline pilots? Web designers? Journalism students?
There must be some... I don't see that story in China. I'd love it if you went and found it.
At 9:41 AM , Anonymous said...
You really have not got the slightest idea what you're talking about, have you?
At 2:36 PM , Anonymous said...
I'm not sure that the 1.2 million very dead Tibetans that were very killed during the so-called peaceful liberation, would agree with you. Nor would the Tibetans forced to marry Han Chinese, or those who frequented the 900 religious sites that were destroyed by the PLA. If Tibet is so gloriously peaceful, why don't the PLA just withdraw the tens of thousands of troops that they have stationed there, and let it get on with its own business?
Your post is largely fantasy, like so much of the propaganda-riddled history and "current affairs" reports that come out of the CCP.
At 2:08 PM , Anonymous said...
Who are you Beryl Hou?!! Your HAN sided view is quite tiring. Even if you are not a HAN majority it is still a Han point of view. The only people who would remotely believe your "article" would be Han Chinese and those educated by your education system. Please, if you have the guts, wrie back to me. sarsfreebj@yahoo.com
P.S. My friend who studies Tibet says that Tibetans for the most part don't want your (HAN) kind of development.
At 10:35 PM , Anonymous said...
You are the frog at the bottom of the well! Jing di zhi wa! You opinion makes me ill. I've had Chinese friends who have gone to Tibet and even Nepal (to see Tibetians who have left Tibet) and apologized on behalf of the Chinese nation for what they have done to Tibet. At least people in the US admit the tragic way the Indians were treated. I guess it will take a long time for Zhonggouren to do the same. If ever! Arrogant, just so arrogant. I think the Mongolians have just as much right to invade China and bring them back to the Mongolian empire of the past. After all historically they controlled you for some time. Or do you actually believe that they are Chinese? That is how your nation changes the past in the history books. Go to Mongolia and tell any Mongolian that Ghenghis Khan is Chinese and see what they say! Chinese and the 56 groups are brothers!!!?? Do you read the news at all? Ever heard of the race riots in different cities in your peaceful loving home land? Do you even want to? You are no journalist. You are what was called a long time ago in the US as a yellow journalist. Sleep well.
At 6:17 PM , Anonymous said...
Come on folks, what this Beryl Hou is doing here is to translate government propaganda from Chinese to English. Well done! It's a required skill for future job. Job security is of vital importance in China. Truth is not, period.
Fortunately, China does not hold a monopoly of interpreting history of Tibet. I have friends (Chinese), too, to go half a globe to Tibet to say 'sorry' to Tibetans. China may have conquered Tibet, but it will never be able to substitute truth with its lies.
At 2:58 AM , Anonymous said...
i'm a tibetan student now residing in california.and its sad to see the same fabricated stories over and over again. not to mention my rage,anger that i feel..why dont china admit that tibet never belonged to china..tibet was an independent nation, a country jus as any other country once upon a time.1959) the so called "peaceful liberation" costs 1.2 million innocent tibetan lives,sufferings,torture,destruction of thousands of monastries,etc..call it betrayal,a bully.let me explain wat i mean. the whole occupatoin/capture of tibet was a big betrayal cos the chinese they came to the western part of tibet known as kham province in early 1949 promisng freindship,building trust, promising to help,to work together to achieve peace and harmony.but our own neighbour,people like us who follow lord buddha,same religion betrayed us.. u dont follow the teachings of lord buddha how can u call urselves buddhist at first place? apart from hating,stealing,language abuse,torture,lying,---- "killing" is one of the biggest sins in buddhism only if u knew.. we tibetans follow the saying strictly" If u cant help, please dont harm "..let me tell about my own parents. during the occupation they were among the few thousand tibetans who fled tibet on foot leaving everything behind their home,their cousins,relatives,livestocks with few or no food supplies hopin to make the journey to india,nepal.. they tell me the grueling almost a month long journey along the himalayas, passing the mighty moutains,the snow,the frozen streams and rivers, acres of wastelands. many of them fell sick on the way couldnt make it.they died of illness, mostly (A.M.S = acute mountain sickness). i get so emotional when i talk bout this.. I jus want to let u guys know the truth.. the situation in tibet today is worse. tibetans r not allowed to learn tibetan language and not allowed to follow spiritual leader H.H holiness the 14th dalai lama. they r forced to learn chinese..and u'll see the big restaurants,shops and businesses owned by chinese only..china has the most number of political prisoners. the youngest political prisoner the credit also goes to china..they r tortured like animals.let me tell u about the rest tibetans who were captured and couldnt run away to neigbouring countries like india and nepal. they r electrocuted,the nuns r raped,kept naked in the cell even during the winters with no food no blankets. anyways the tibetans have multiplied here and r residing in countries like usa,canada,swiss,france,india,nepal holding the international refugees. we r united and we will get our freedom through means of non-violence..free tibet.
At 3:38 AM , Anonymous said...
I have traveled Tibet extensively and interacted with Tibetans in many different issues. All is not well in Tibet. Maybe, it is a direct translation of glorified Chinese song about Tibet. I really wish majority of Chinese understands Tibet and their feelings better. There is a huge misconception about Tibetans and Tibet among Mainland Chinese. It might be because of what they were taught and the information they get from the government. Good understanding of their feelings will bridge the gap between Tibetans and Chinese. Yes Tibet is developing and Government is spending money but the question is who is actually benefiting? Yes, Tibetans are poor but not backward as the writer have mentioned. One of the problems is that Chinese government have always propagated on Tibet being backward, as a race, ridiculed Tibetan Culture even to the extent of declaring Tibetans as worshiping devil. Tibet has equally rich culture as rest of the civilization. Tibet’s culture is very different from Chinese but definitely not backward. I find that Tibetans where never given respect for who they are. Chinese government wants Tibetans to be what they want Tibetans to be like. Tibetan language is a secondary language in their own land. What does that show?
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