Dharamshala, India — China’s Colonial Game in Tibet, a new book examining the political, cultural, and human rights situation in Tibet, was launched on March 6, 2026, in Dharamshala.
Hosted by Tibetan activist Tsering Choephel and Indian journalist Vijay Kranti, co-editor of the book, the launch ceremony was moderated by Tibetan poet and activist Tenzin Tsundue and attended by Tibetan residents of Dharamshala as well as supporters from across the region.
The book <<China’s Colonial Game in Tibet>> presented the insights and research of international and Tibetan intellectuals, as well as accounts of Tibet was independent country prior to China’s illegal and brutal occupation of the territory; it also highlighted how the People’s Republic of China has continued to destroy Tibetan monasteries and the environment, impose forced resettlements, forcibly send millions of Tibetan children to Chinese colonial boarding schools, arrest and imprison Tibetan academics, and eradicate the Tibetan language, culture, religion and identity through repressive policies.
This book discusses how China has played and continues to play, its game in Tibet and on the international stage. It reveals how the Chinese government has attempted to divert global attention on Tibet by funding media outlets and international organisations. It also exposes the Chinese government's commitment to cultural genocide in Tibet.
The book brings together 39 international experts and authors specialising in Tibet and China, who share their analyses and reflections on the history and current situation in Tibet. Among them are Michael Van Walt, Claude Arpi, Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, Sikyong Penpa Tsering and Professor Robert Destro. The book was edited by Vijay Kranti, a seasoned Indian journalist and long-standing advocate for Tibet. It is published by the Centre for Himalayan Asia Studies And Engagement (CHASE) in New Delhi.
Michael Van Walt wrote that Tibet was an independent country in fact and in law, citing the criteria for sovereignty set out in Article 1 of the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, namely a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.
Claude Arpi also confirmed that Tibet possessed all the necessary elements to prove its status as an independent nation, such as its own flag, currency, postal system, diplomatic relations and international treaties with various countries, notably British India, Nepal and Mongolia. This status was maintained until the day the Chinese army invaded Tibet in 1959.
Furthermore, the authors touched upon the legacy, achievements and challenges faced by His Holiness the Dalai Lama since his exile in India, including the establishment of a democratic government-in-exile and the establishment of Tibetan monasteries, communities and schools, amongst other things. They also discussed the important role played by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in relations between Tibet and China, as well as the issue of the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama.
The authors addressed the issue of Tibetan self-immolations and resistance movements, as well as Tibetan freedom movements both within Tibet and in exile. They further addressed the cultural genocide perpetrated by China in Tibet, which has resulted in control over Tibetan Buddhism, culture and language, the destruction of Tibetan identity, the removal of Tibet from international discourse, and the establishment of boarding schools designed to indoctrinate an entire generation.
Experts, authors and activists have also drawn attention to the critical situation in Tibet with regard to education, human rights and climate change, as well as emphasising the importance of Tibetan rivers for countries across Asia.
This book is recommended for anyone interested in Tibet, East Turkestan, Mongolia and China. It is particularly recommended for Tibetans, researchers, journalists and activists, as it provides valuable insights into Tibetan history and the current situation in Tibet.
