The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) represents Tibet from its headquarters in India, but no nation recognizes it as a formal government. Its goal is to see Tibet gain autonomy in its administrative affairs and preserve Tibetan culture. The CTA includes a full cabinet, parliament, and a prime minister. It is no longer closely involved with the Tibetan independence movement.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), also known as the Tibetan Government in Exile, claims to represent the government of Tibet from its headquarters in Dharamsala, India. No nation recognizes the CTA as a formal government and continues to negotiate with China for semi-autonomous status. In addition to its political work, the CTA also provides a number of services for Tibetans around the world. While it was once associated with the Tibetan independence movement, the two now have different goals.
Reason for exile
The Tibetan government in exile was formed after China occupied Tibet in 1951 and annexed it to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Tibet had declared independence in 1912 and, while its independence was not formally recognized by many countries, it had operated independently for nearly four decades. Prior to 1912, China had controlled the area virtually continuously since the early 1700s, which was the basis for its annexation. Tibet’s leader, the Dalai Lama, left after a large uprising in 1959 and went to India, where he formed the CTA.
Goals and actions
The main goal of the CTA is to see Tibet gain autonomy in its administrative affairs. He doesn’t want to rule Tibet itself; but rather, he wants to see a Tibetan-appointed government in the region instead of a Chinese-appointed one. It also hopes to keep Tibetan culture alive, which it does by hosting cultural and religious events and establishing schools for Tibetans living outside the area.
Besides that, the organization also hosts conferences and events to focus the world’s attention on the issue of the autonomy of the Tibetan government, preserve the natural environment of the area, and help the development of Tibet. The Dalai Lama has traveled the world both as a religious leader and as head of the Tibetan government in exile. The CTA’s efforts are hampered by the fact that it has yet to be recognized as a formal government, despite the worldwide debate over the status of Tibetans.
Structure
The CTA includes a full cabinet with officials who focus on issues such as education, public service, religion, culture, health, finance, and security. It also includes a parliament and in 2001 Tibetans around the world elected a prime minister, Venerable Professor Samdhong Rinpoche. The structure of the Tibetan government in exile is designed according to democratic principles, in an attempt to demonstrate that Tibet is a modernized society and that the government could govern justly if it were restored.
Tibetan independence movement
The CTA is no longer closely involved with the Tibetan independence movement, which wants Tibet to be a free and independent nation. The official position of the CTA is that Tibet should have some degree of autonomy, but remain part of China. Many in the government want it to have powers similar to Hong Kong, Macau or Xinjiang.
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