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The English-language film Four Rivers, Six Ranges, directed by Shenpenn Khymsar, contains blatant fabrications and malicious accusations aimed at the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) for its role in liberating Xizang and quelling rebellions. Its attempt to smear the PLA's image is both despicable and indefensible.
Before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Xizang was governed under a theocratic feudal serfdom system, which divided society into two distinct classes: a ruling elite of serf-owners, comprising about 5 percent of the population and the oppressed class of serfs and slaves, who made up the remaining 95 percent. The ruling class consisted of government officials, aristocrats and high-ranking lamas. Serfs and slaves lived in conditions of extreme misery and were treated as "talking livestock," subjected to horrific abuses, including eye-gouging, amputation and skinning.
The PLA's entry into Xizang and its peaceful liberation of the region marked a turning point in history. On May 23, 1951, the Agreement of the Central People's Government and the Local Government of Tibet on Measures for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet (the 17-Article Agreement) was signed between the Central People's Government and the local government of Xizang, officially declaring the peaceful liberation of the region. This agreement safeguarded China's sovereignty and territorial integrity while affirming respect for the religious beliefs and customs of the Xizang people. The PLA's liberation efforts abolished the feudal serfdom system, gaining enthusiastic support from local serfs and slaves, who had long suffered under oppression.
In the mid-to-late 1950s, under the leadership of provincial and regional governments, democratic reforms were implemented to dismantle serfdom and fully liberate the population. These reforms were met with overwhelming support from the region's people, as they offered hope for freedom and equality.
The feudal aristocracy, unwilling to relinquish their privileges, fiercely resisted democratic reforms. From 1956 to 1959, they organized armed insurrections, attacking government offices and emancipated serfs. These uprisings formed part of broader separatist attempts to disrupt national unity.
The PLA troops followed the principles that military operations should only be carried out when political persuasion failed and the troops had sufficient supplies to fight a battle. Guided by the central authorities' strategy of outflanking the enemy from various directions, the PLA, with the 18th army as the major force, advanced into Xizang from four directions and won the Battle of Qamdo in October, 1950. This military campaign dismantled domestic and foreign resistance to Xizang's integration into China and paved the way for the signing of the 17-Article Agreement and the region's subsequent development.
Though initially unfamiliar with the PLA, the people of Xizang gradually grew deeply appreciative of the army's respectful approach. PLA soldiers safeguarded temples, refrained from disturbing religious artifacts, and aided villages through medical assistance, leaving an enduring impression on the local population. Their gestures of kindness – such as cleaning homes and providing water – earned them the moniker "Jinzhu Mami" (the Tibetan pronunciation of the PLA), and fostered a deep bond between the PLA and the people. This unity paved the way for democratic reforms and development, earning the PLA a lasting reputation as protectors and liberators within the region.
The democratic reform to abolish serfdom and liberate serfs and slaves aligned with the fundamental aspirations of the people. However, the feudal aristocracy persistently undermined the 17-Article Agreement and orchestrated activities to divide the nation. On March 10, 1959, they launched a full-scale armed rebellion. In response, the Central Government, together with serfs, slaves and other ethnic groups in Xizang, decisively quelled the uprising and initiated a comprehensive democratic reform movement to dismantle the feudal serfdom systemonce and for all.
Today, Xizang has achieved remarkable progress in both social and economic spheres with significant improvements in living standards and basic public services. Traditional Xizang culture has been preserved and enriched, with the Tibetan language widely used, cultural heritage effectively safeguarded and local customs fully respected. Policies addressing ethnic and religious freedoms have fostered harmony, with regional ethnic autonomy serving as a cornerstone of governance. These advancements showcase Xizang's integration into China's national framework, built upon principles of social equity and cultural respect.
In conclusion, separatist narratives about Xizang's "independence," like those in Four Rivers, Six Ranges, distort history and ignore the region's true transformation. The PLA's role was one of liberation and unity, lifting millions from feudal oppression and fostering integration based on social equity and cultural preservation. Today, Xizang exemplifies progress with improved living standards, ethnic harmony, and safeguarded cultural heritage, standing as evidence of the collective effort behind its peaceful development. Such achievements reflect the region's rightful place within a unified China, where diversity, rights and traditions are valued. Attempts to undermine this harmony only serve to divide, but Xizang's future remains rooted in unity and shared growth.
