Tibet stabbed in the back

Pretty much unnoticed, allegedly as part of the negotiations around Chinese support for the economic package at the recent G20, David Miliband issued a written ministerial statement at the end of October recognising Chinese sovereignty over Tibet and backing down on the UK's traditional support for an independent Tibet.

I really think this is a dreadful betrayal.

The statement talks about "the anachronism of our formal position on whether Tibet is part of China". I see nothing anachronistic about supporting the independence of a country that was invaded, annexed and colonised.

It concludes: "We have made clear to the Chinese Government, and publicly, that we do not support Tibetan independence. Like every other EU member state, and the United States, we regard Tibet as part of the People’s Republic of China."

It's for the Tibetan people or the Dalai Lama to negotiate away the sovereignty of Tibet in return for autonomy and greater human rights within China, not for the UK to undermine their position with a sordid deal linking unrelated questions - Tibetan freedom and the global financial crisis.

Free Tibet has expressed its outrage that British Foreign Minister David Miliband has changed the UK's position on Tibet, stating that it is part of China. Free Tibet believes that the change in position is a major factor in China's walking away from the Sino-Tibetan talks, which have now collapsed.

I am really ashamed of this announcement. The Tibetan people deserved more steadfast support from the UK.