The UK has a strategic and moral imperative to support Tibet
Residents gather in Kathmandu after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit (Credit: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo)
3 min read
The recent devastating earthquake in Tibet has seen the losses of over a hundred lives and left countless others injured or displaced.
Communities lie in ruin, and the scale of human suffering is immense. Our thoughts must be with the victims, their families, and the rescue workers who are saving lives in challenging conditions. This tragedy underscores the fragility of Tibet’s environment and the need for global solidarity in addressing both immediate and long-term challenges in the region.
As the Chancellor lands in Beijing, now is a good time to ask about the government’s policy on Tibet – constituting a moral obligation but also a strategic necessity.
This urgency has been underlined in both Houses of Parliament, when lawmakers from across the political spectrum called on the government to take robust action to counter China’s authoritarian aggression and uphold democratic principles. Tibet was rightly highlighted as a critical area where Britain’s moral leadership and strategic foresight must converge.
Tibet, often referred to as the ‘Roof of the World’, holds unparalleled geopolitical, environmental, and cultural significance. For centuries, it served as a critical buffer between the nuclear powers of China and India. Its annexation by China in 1950 destabilised the region, triggering direct territorial disputes with India and military confrontations, such as the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
Beijing’s aggressive militarisation of Tibet, alongside extensive infrastructure projects such as highways, railways, and air bases, has enabled rapid troop deployment, tipping the strategic balance along its borders with India. These developments threaten regional stability and have broader implications across the globe.
Britain’s Indo-Pacific strategy must prioritise a free, open and rules-based order. Supporting Tibet’s autonomy aligns with this vision, strengthening ties with democratic allies such as India, while countering China’s expansionist ambitions. Restoring Tibet as a buffer state would reduce tensions and serve the cause of global peace and stability.
Often referred to as the ‘Third Pole’, Tibet’s environmental health is critical to the survival of Asia’s major rivers, including the Yangtze, Mekong, and Brahmaputra. Yet China’s relentless dam-building, mining, and deforestation have accelerated glacial melt and disrupted water flows, threatening billions across Asia.
Britain as a global climate leader must address Tibet’s ecological degradation and factor this into its climate agenda. International scrutiny of China’s unsustainable practices on the plateau would reinforce Britain’s commitment to environmental stewardship and long-term water and food security in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
Beijing’s policies in Tibet amount to what many experts classify as cultural genocide. Tibetan language, religion and identity are systematically targeted through forced assimilation policies. Reports indicate that over one million Tibetan children have been separated from their families and placed in colonial-style boarding schools designed to erase their cultural heritage. Religious freedoms remain severely curtailed, with monasteries under constant surveillance and the arbitrary arrest of monks and nuns commonplace.
The UK has a unique opportunity to lead by example, addressing Tibet’s crisis is not merely symbolic; it represents a commitment to democratic values, environmental sustainability, and regional stability – all core to Britain’s global interests.
As Members of the Houses of Lords and Commons, we believe Britain’s leadership on Tibet would not only strengthen our alliances with democratic partners, including the US and India, but also send a powerful message: that the UK stands resolutely for freedom, justice, and the preservation of our shared planet.
Lord Alton, chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights and sanctioned by China
Chris Law, Scottish National Party MP for Dundee Central and co chair of the former APPG on Tibet
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