The 17-Point Agreement is a historic accord that was signed between Tibet and China in 1951. The agreement was signed under the leadership of Mao Zedong, the communist leader of China, and the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet. The accord established China`s sovereignty over Tibet while preserving the religious and cultural autonomy of the Tibetan people. It is an important document in the history of Tibet and China, and the agreement is still recognized by the Chinese government as the legal basis for its sovereignty over Tibet.
Here are 17 key points of the agreement:
1. The central government of the People`s Republic of China will not alter the existing political system in Tibet.
2. The Dalai Lama will exercise his political authority over Tibet under the leadership of the Chinese government.
3. The central government will not interfere in Tibet`s religious affairs.
4. The Chinese government will maintain the existing social and economic system in Tibet.
5. The Chinese government will help Tibet with its agriculture and industry.
6. The Chinese government will respect the Tibetan people`s customs and habits.
7. The Chinese government will establish a branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in Tibet.
8. The Chinese government will establish a branch of the People`s Bank of China in Tibet.
9. Postal, telegraph, and telephone services will be established in Tibet.
10. Tibetan and Chinese will be the official languages of Tibet.
11. The Chinese government will establish schools and hospitals in Tibet.
12. The Chinese government will help improve transportation in Tibet.
13. The Chinese government will protect Tibetan historical sites.
14. The Tibetan people`s religious and cultural traditions will be respected.
15. The Chinese government will establish a Military Control Commission in Tibet.
16. The Chinese government will establish a representative office in Lhasa.
17. The agreement will be implemented in good faith by both sides.
Although the agreement was signed with good intentions, it was not fully implemented. The Chinese government`s policies in Tibet led to unrest and protests, and the Dalai Lama was forced to flee to India in 1959. Tibet remains a politically sensitive issue between China and the international community, with human rights activists and Tibetan exiles calling for greater autonomy for Tibet. The 17-Point Agreement remains a point of contention, with some Tibetans arguing that China did not respect the agreement`s provisions. Nevertheless, the agreement is an important historical document and a symbol of the complex relationship between Tibet and China.