Development and the Tibet Riots

This is a passage from the latest issue of "Robert Hsu's China Strategy," a newsletter for actual or potential investors in that country.

"There is ... wide resentment among the poor Tibetans due to the economic disparity between the elite -- comprised of enterprising Chinese migrants and upper-class Tibetans -- and the impoverished masses. With the billions of dollars that China has flooded into Tibet over the past decade, many upper-class Tibetans and Chinese migrant entrepreneurs prospered greatly. The majority of Tibetans, however, were left out of the economic prosperity.

"The Tibet economy has grown around 12% per year for the past seven years. But due to the region's harsh environment and weak economy, Tibet is still one of the most underdeveloped regions in China."

It sounds like Mr. Hsu is buying the Chinese government's 'line' here. The growth of 12% a year would be a pointless abstraction to most of those "impoverished masses" if they aren't sharing in it.

Also, why has China (meaning, presumably, the government of China) "flooded" those billions of dollars into Tibet, if the "harsh environment" condemns the economy to weakness anyway? Is it a continuing subsidy for the "Chinese migrant entrepreneurs?

I often find Mr. Hsu's newsletter informative (though I don't personally invest in China and don't suggest it unless you really have money you could do without) -- still ... still, I think his discussion of Tibet/China politics leaves much to be desired.

SFAIK, all the real development in China in recent years has taken place along the Pacific coast -- the further from the coast one gets, with Tibet as the limit, the less visible the 21st century itself becomes. If the government is actually putting billions into Tibetan development, it will almost certainly fail, and accordingly to the facts as Mr. Hsu states them IS failing, to achieve any effect other than the enrichment of some of its cronies. Furthermore, logically the money for such a transfer must be coming from the dynamic economies of the coast -- youcan only take wealth from where it is. So the 'development' plans might be killing the proverbial goose.

'Tis ever thus.

The Path of the Olympic Torch

Here, just in case you're wondering, is a selective chronology of the Olympic torch's meandering progress toward Beijing.

March 24, the lighting ceremony in Greece, followed by six days of relays within that country, before the torch bearer flies to Russia. The final day's events have to be cut short due to Tibet-related protests.

April 6, Britain. The first major disruption as the flame is passing through London. Bobbies make 37 arrests.

April 9, the US. Authorities make a last-minute change in the route through San Francisco (the only US city visited) in order to confuse protestors.

April 10, The president of the IOC dismisses suggestions that the relay be curtailed.

April 13, Tanzania, The only stop on the continent of Africa. Itinerary takes torch through the capital city, Dar es Salaam. No incidents.

April 17, India. At least 170 Tibetan monks are arrested near the relay route in New Delhi.

April 22, Indonesia. The torch paraded at an invitation-only event in Jakarta held under very heavy security. It sputters out and has to be re-lit.

April 26, Japan. There are scuffles in the ski-resort town of Nagano, where more than 85,000 people packed the streets, and at least 4 people were injured, despite the presence of 3,000 police.

May 2, China. Flame arrives at the destination country (though there's a good deal of travelling ahead for it.) Hong Kong.

May 3, Macau. (This was yesterday, as I'm typing these words on the other side of the date line from Macau.) No disruptions -- the torch was guarded through Macau by two columns of paramilitary police. Spectators chanting "Go China."

The flame is scheduled to visit Tibet in the middle of June. That may be interesting.