Times China Correspondent gives the background to the violence in Tibet

Has Tibet ever been independent? :-The Beijing line is that Tibet became part of China in the 13th century, when the Mongol Yuan Dynasty extended its rule over the Himalayan region. Most historians say that Tibet was at least a protectorate of China in the 18th and 19th centuries until it unilaterally declared independence in 1913. Chairman Mao’s troops entered central Tibet in 1950 Why did Tibetans rise against Beijing in 1959? When China imposed land reforms in eastern Tibet and began to destroy monasteries, thousands of refugees fled to Lhasa, setting off a popular uprising. The Dalai Lama, accompanied by thousands of followers, fled into exile in India. Official figures say that 80,000 Tibetans were killed as Chinese troops crushed the rebellion function slideshowPopUp(url) Have Tibetans always opposed communist rule? At first Tibetan aristocrats and young intellectuals regarded Chinese rule as a new beginning, but many changed their minds when Beijing imposed land reforms. However, some poor Tibetans welcomed the reforms Are Tibetans free to worship? The authorities do not generally interfere in worship by ordinary Tibetans and allow them to visit temples. However, there are some restrictions in monasteries, where lamas must take part in government-run patriotic re-education classes and are required to renounce the Dalai Lama Does the Dalai Lama want independence? No. He has given up that idea and says that he is asking for genuine autonomy and this now seems to mean that he wants cultural autonomy, leaving the central Government in Beijing in charge