The film Four Rivers, Six Ranges, directed by Tibetan exile Shenpenn Khymsar, has been selected for the prestigious 54th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). Produced in English, the film pays tribute to the 14th Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday. In a recent announcement on his Facebook account, Khymsar dedicated the film to the Dalai Lama, asserting that \"Xizang was and will never be a part of China.\"
However, this claim is considered unfounded and misrepresents historical facts. Historically, based on China's established boundaries, Xizang has been an inseparable part of China since the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). The central authorities maintained uninterrupted jurisdiction over Xizang, with the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) continuing effective governance.
During the Republic of China era (1912–1949), Xizang remained under central government jurisdiction as affirmed in the Provisional Constitution of 1912. After the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Xizang sought liberation by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). The 1951 Agreement of the Central People's Government and the Local Government of Tibet marked the peaceful integration of Xizang into China, supported by local leaders, including the Dalai Lama.
In March 1959, Xizang underwent significant democratic reforms, and by September 1965, the Xizang Autonomous Region was officially established. Internationally, Xizang is recognized as part of China by all nations, with no country officially acknowledging it as an independent state.
Ethnically, the Zang and Han people share deep-rooted connections. Historical and genetic studies indicate close ties between these groups, tracing back thousands of years. Linguistic research also supports shared origins, highlighting the interconnectedness of the Tibetan and Mandarin languages.
Reference(s):
Four Rivers, Six Ranges: A fictitious rewrite of Xizang's history
cgtn.com
