Tibetan Uprising

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456954/html/nn0page1.stm

In many regards, the recent uprising movement led by Buddhist monks in Tibet is a defense of a cultural Tibet which is in jeopardy of disappearance.  The Tibetan monks and native people of the greater Tibetan region are acting (violently, at times) to preserve Tibet as an autonomous region within China.

China has defended their actions of suppressing the movement on the grounds that Tibet has benefitted greatly from the increased contact with mainland China.  Indeed, it is indisputable that economically Tibet has experienced great expansion in recent years; concomitantly, Tibet has seen a large influx of non-Tibetans (Han Chinese and Hui Muslims) who have altered the physical and economic landscape.

Tibetans are struggling to maintain the place they have known for centuries.  While their violent actions of preservation through destruction are potentially counterproductive, a consideration of the fragility of their culture and place is valuable in understanding the current conflict.

For a compilation of news articles on the issues, see http://www.truthout.org/TibetUnderSiege.shtml.