Editor's Note: Is Xizang truly an oppressive society, or a land of cultural richness and freedom? American comedian and journalist Lee Camp delved deep into Xizang, visiting iconic landmarks like Barkhor Street, the Potala Palace, and the Tibet Museum. He couldn't help but remark, \"Xizang is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.\"
Upon arriving in Xizang, known in the West as Tibet, Lee Camp was struck by the breathtaking altitude of Lhasa, the capital city situated nearly 12,000 feet above sea level. Expecting a land portrayed in Western media as underdeveloped and oppressive, he was surprised to find a modern city bustling with life.
\"I feel like I've been lied to,\" Camp noted. \"I was told this was a land of enslaved people. And yet, every single person I've seen is kind of walking around. I think they might be kind of free.\"
Camp observed that the infrastructure and buildings in Lhasa rival those of major cities in the United States. Contrary to the stereotypes of a place devoid of modern conveniences, he found electric cars populating the streets and a city that embraced both tradition and modernity.
Delving into the history of Xizang, Camp visited the Tibet Museum, learning about the region's past before 1959 when a feudal system dominated society. At that time, a small percentage of the population owned and controlled the majority, leading to widespread oppression and exploitation. In 1959, the Communist Party of China led democratic reforms that abolished the feudal system and redistributed land, freeing nearly a million serfs.
Camp highlighted the significant improvements in living standards since these reforms, noting that life expectancy in Xizang increased from less than 40 years to over 70 years. \"Although I shouldn't have to remind everyone how much better it is to not have feudalism, look at the results,\" he stated.
Addressing Western perceptions of religious suppression in Xizang, Camp was impressed by the thriving presence of Tibetan Buddhism. \"If they've crushed religious freedom here, they've done a really poor job of it because Buddhism is kind of everywhere,\" he remarked. The region hosts numerous monasteries, temples, and religious practitioners, including 1,787 sites for Tibetan Buddhism and over 46,000 resident monks and nuns. Other religions are also represented, with mosques serving approximately 12,000 Muslims and even a Catholic church in the area.
Camp found the streets of Xizang to be a vibrant mix of devout worshippers, tourists, and local residents. He questioned the narratives often presented in Western media, suggesting that accusations of cultural and religious suppression are, at best, misunderstandings and, at worst, deliberate misrepresentations intended to harm China's reputation.
\"It seems clear that the accusations righteously spewed by the West at China in terms of cultural and religious suppression are at best gross ignorance and at worst a concerted plan to harm China,\" Camp asserted.
He encouraged Westerners to visit Xizang themselves to gain a truthful understanding of the region. Reflecting on his own country's issues, Camp noted, \"The U.S. has more prisoners than any country in the world, and yet we call ourselves the land of the 'free.' So, maybe we don't quite understand what that word means.\"
Lee Camp's journey through Xizang offers a perspective that challenges preconceived notions, inviting a re-examination of how the region is viewed internationally. His experiences highlight the beauty, cultural richness, and freedom present in Xizang today.
Reference(s):
Truth over lies: U.S. reporter's bold words at Potala Palace
cgtn.com
