From Tibet to Hong Kong, Beijing’s record raises fresh concerns over Taiwan’s future

Tibet’s tragedy began decades before the world fully grasped the consequences, according to a press note highlighting the warnings of Gyalo Thondup in 1952 about the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) plans to consolidate control over Tibet.

The warning was dismissed, the note states, and Tibet subsequently witnessed the erosion of its freedom, the Dalai Lama’s exile, political repression and sustained pressure on Tibetan identity.

Drawing parallels with Hong Kong, the press note argues that Beijing’s record raises serious questions about the reliability of promises of autonomy under authoritarian rule. It also points to growing military pressure on Taiwan and Beijing’s demand for what it calls “reunification”.

The note poses a pressing question for the international community: how many more warnings will it take before the risks are fully recognised?

It argues that promises of autonomy alone cannot safeguard a people when their freedoms, institutions and cultural identity face threats. The experiences of Tibet and Hong Kong, it says, should serve as cautionary lessons for Taiwan and the wider world.

The message is clear: Tibet’s history must not be remembered merely as a tragedy. It must also serve as a lesson in the importance of vigilance, the protection of fundamental freedoms and international solidarity.

The central appeal is for the world to recognise the lessons of Tibet’s past and respond to emerging risks before it is too late.