EAI Public Opinion Brief No. 22: China's Tibet Policy

Survey of Six Countries on Tibetan Independence

Koreans Most Critical of China's Tibet Policy (84%)

□ "Tibet Should Be Allowed Independence" - France (75%), U.S. (74%), UK (63%) in Order

□ Asian Countries Show Divided Opinions: Korea (84%), Indonesia (54%), Only 37% of Indians Below Majority

China's foreign policy is fundamentally based on peaceful rise, a strategy to quietly grow into a global power without posing a threat to neighboring countries. This approach has been somewhat successful, as indicated by the results of a BBC survey on international affairs involving 27 countries, in which the East Asia Institute participated last year (2007). The proportion viewing China's role in the international community positively was 42%, second only to Japan (54%). This suggests China receives a warmer reception from the international community compared to the United States (30%), which leads the current world order, or India (37%), which is rising alongside China [Figure 1].

For China, the Tibet issue is a sensitive matter. Recent assessments suggest that China's forceful response to demands for Tibetan independence is deteriorating its international reputation.

This is readily confirmed by the 2008 international survey on human rights awareness conducted in 22 countries, organized by WorldPublicOpinion.org (WPO) and co-participated by the East Asia Institute (Director: Lee Sook-jong, Professor at Sungkyunkwan University) and the Kyunghyang Shinmun. In the survey of six countries assessing China's Tibet policy—which denies Tibet autonomy and prevents the Dalai Lama's return—five out of the six countries expressed criticism of China.

Among the Western countries surveyed, 74% of Americans and 75% of French citizens supported allowing Tibetan independence and the Dalai Lama's return, with 65% of Britons concurring. In contrast, the three Asian countries surveyed showed differing opinions.

In Korea, 84% responded that China should grant Tibet autonomy and allow the Dalai Lama's return, indicating the most critical public opinion towards the Chinese government's stance among all surveyed nations. In Indonesia, 54% held this view, just above a majority. In India, 37% believed China should grant Tibet autonomy and permit the Dalai Lama's return, while 33% supported the Chinese government's position opposing Tibetan independence, resulting in a near-even split. The remaining 30% remained undecided.

It is noteworthy that in each country, individuals with higher education levels, particularly intellectuals, were more critical of China's Tibet policy. In Korea, only 66% of those with a middle school education or less were critical of China's policy, whereas 78% of high school graduates and 88% of those with a college degree or higher expressed criticism of China's current Tibet policy. The fact that opinion leaders in various countries are critical of China's Tibet policy may be particularly disconcerting for China.

This survey, conducted from January 18 to February 29, 2008, involved 4,774 respondents across six countries. It is anticipated that international criticism of China has intensified following media reports on the Chinese government's consistent hardline response to the recent crackdown in Tibet. Dr. Steven Kull, director of WorldPublicOpinion.org, which organized the survey, analyzed that "China will face greater international condemnation due to the recent violence in China."

[Figure 1] Assessment of the International Role of Major World Countries by 27 Nations in 2007

[Figure 2] "China Should Grant Tibet Autonomy and Allow the Dalai Lama's Return"