why does America,Britain and the rest of the world not seem to care about the Chinese occupation of Tibet.?

Question

I just wonder if it would be different if Tibet had vast reserves of oil.

Answer 1

Tibet invasion and colonisation has been going on for a long while.

India did raise some objections but these were quietened with the promise of 'friendship' with China; UK and US simply couldn't care. Tibet has nothing that interests the UK or the US.

For sure if huge oil reserves were found it would make a difference. China is a threat to the hegemony of the US. The way to control China, or at least have a little lever is to control China's access to Oil.

For example, Afghanistan similarly has no oil, but the US/UK cared about it not because there was religious persecution (as in Tibet too) but, among other reaosns, because Afghanistan lies directly in the path from Oil (in the Central ex-Soviet Republics such as Uzbekistan) to consumers, such as India. India is also a threat to the hegemony of the US, and by controlling Afghanistan, the US controls a vital oil flow, like having a pincer on someone's carotid artery.

This access to oil is a critical issue for China and India. As such they have signed MOUs to explore for oil together:
http://www.offshore-mag.com/display_article/280227/120/ARTCL/none/COMPN/China,-India-sign-MOU/
An interesting article on how the politics of oil are working in the Asian region that also mentions Myanmar. You could also have asked why the US cares about Myanmar but not Tibet...
http://www.siiaonline.org/thirst_for_oil_shakes_up_global_alliances2

Answer 2

China has claimed Tibet for hundreds of years. It invaded just after WW II when the world was impoverished after six years of war. Not only that but Britain was experiencing revolution in India with Independence in 1947, there was the Korean War crisis in 1951 and the Dalai lama was given refuge in Britain. He did not want retribution in case it harmed his people but continued his opposition to the invasion. Remember he was only a boy at the time.

Nepal has only one city, Kathmandu, the remaining towns are mainly collections of huts and the terrain is the most mountainous in the world. Nepal has a population of 27 million and is only accessible from India or China. India would not allow an invasion due to fear of reprisal from China which is only a short distance away an Tibet would not be accessible for air strikes either.

Nepal does have mineral resources however and it's main export is limestone.

Answer 3

The Americans in Iraq. There is just so much untold suffering caused by the Americans in Iraq. Tibet, like Guam, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guatanamo Bay, is considered an autonomous region. The rising protests in Tibet are an abuse of the Olympics which try to be non-political. There have been rumors of the CIA causing uprisings in Tibet. Just like the Americans to direct attention away from their war crimes.

Answer 4

Tibet actually has some reserves of oil. not enough for America to care really.

there are alot of places in trouble or oppressed and America really does not care, because it does not impact the U.S. directly (especially Darfur) or unless there really is such an important public outcry.

another thing is America does not want to do anything to upset China. China first off loaned the U.S. alot of money. if China asks for the money back the U.S. will be in financial trouble. also we import alot of stuff from China, and pissing off your trading partner is not a good idea

Answer 5

They're all too busy worrying about the Chinese occupation of America, Britain and the rest of the World

Answer 6

Maybe I'm just oblivious but I only heard about it the other weekend when I was reading the Mail on Sunday supplement. Was really shocked that something so dreadful is hardly mentioned. I think our Governments should try to do something help the people of Tibet, if we all work together......?!

Answer 7

Despite what individual citizens may think, governments put pressure on other countries (up to going to war with them) only when if benefits them. There is no upside to the U.S. U.K., or other countries to push China to reduce the control on Tibet. There are a number of clear downsides to putting pressure on China, these include: raising prices on goods sold to the U.S., ceasing to buy our debt, take an active stance against us in the U.N. over Iraq, etc. They have at least as many levers they can pull to put pressure on us as we do on them, and in the case of a small country without strategic interest to us, we are not willing to push them.

Answer 8

Communist China being in Tibet doesn't really affect anybody negatively in significant way (except maybe the Tibetens themselves), so why should they care?

Answer 9

It would be. Throughout history the powerful country has only done things (like intervened in other countries politics) when it has benefitted them. They dont want to risk starting a war and losing troops in a conflict that does not concern them in anyway directly.

Answer 10

Ahh don't worry we are still f*cking up some 3rd world countries and making a mess over there , i am sure that bush and Blair will get around to it , give em some time and they can stick their noses in where its not wanted and cause some more mayhem !!