“Trashing the Beijing Road” Questions

1. The last time Tibet had a large uprising against China was in 1959, during which the Dalai Lama fled to India.
2. There are 3 Buddhist temples/monasteries.
3. The real result of economic development in China has not reduced demands by Tibetan separatists, but instead
fuelled ethnic tensions in the Tibetan capital.
4. The uprising in Tibet began in Beijing Road on March 14th. It had started in a side street close by, after 2 monks
had been beaten by security officials. A crowd of several dozed people rampaged along the road, some throwing
stones at shops and taxis owned by ethnic Han Chinese.
5. Chinese security forces did little for hours to end Lhasa’s uprising. They eventually sent in fire engines during the
night to put out the biggest blazes, but did not seal off the allies, where rioting continued.
6. The upcoming Olympics have caused the Chinese government’s response to be slow. If the Chinese went in with
tactics used to suppress the Tiananmen Square protests they would risk inciting international calls for a boycott of
the Olympic Games.
7. The Chinese are concerned about the upcoming Olympics and the possibility that other ethnic minorities may be
inspired by Tibetan activism if it is left unchecked.
8. In the recent years, a surge of government spending on infrastructure and strong growth in Tibet’s tourism
industry have helped the region’s GDP growth rate stay about 12% for 7 years. Incomes have been growing fast
for rural and urban residents, at 13% and 24.5% increases. Also, a new middle class has emerged in Lhasa.
9. Many Han Chinese are the biggest beneficiaries of economic growth in the old Tibetan quarter. Some Tibetans
believe Han Chinese now make up around half of the city’s population, with the railway bringing in more. Tibetans
also resent the policies of Tibet’s party chief, Zhang Qingli. Mr. Zhang, who is a Han, stepped up official invective
against the Dalai Lama and old religious traditions.
10. The Dalai Lama’s role is to keep peace between Tibetans and the Chinese. He is crucial to resolving Tibet’s
tensions and says that all he wants is Tibet’s autonomy within China.