OPINION | Tibet’s Echoing 1949’s Stolen Freedoms: Beijing’s Centralization of Control

by Ashu Mann

January 1, 1912, marked the birth of the Republic of China, ushered in by Sun Yat-sen and his promise of a new era built on freedom, democracy, and equality. It was a moment of hope when the people of China, including those in Tibet, were meant to have a voice in shaping their own future.

That vision, however, never materialized. Instead of evolving into the democratic republic Sun Yat-sen envisioned, China took a very different path, particularly under the rule of the Communist Party of China.

When the Communist Party came to power in 1949, it became clear that Sun’s ideals were no longer part of the agenda. China transformed into a one-party state, with power tightly centralized in Beijing. Nowhere was this shift felt more profoundly than in Tibet. Once a peaceful and largely self-governing region, Tibet was invaded by China in 1950. Since then, Tibetans have struggled to preserve their culture, religion, and way of life. Promises of autonomy proved hollow, as Beijing steadily tightened its grip and pressured Tibetans to conform to centrally imposed rules.

In many ways, Tibet has become a microcosm of broader developments across China. Regions that once enjoyed limited self-governance have seen their autonomy steadily eroded. In Tibet, nearly every aspect of daily life is monitored and controlled. Tibetan Buddhism, central to the region’s identity for centuries, faces heavy restrictions. The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader, is treated as a criminal in his own homeland. A place once defined by cultural and spiritual freedom has been reduced to another province under strict state supervision.

This pattern extends well beyond Tibet. In Xinjiang, millions of Uyghurs have been detained in what the government calls “re-education” centers, facilities widely seen as part of a systematic campaign to erase cultural and religious identity.

In Hong Kong, the promise of “one country, two systems” has been effectively dismantled. Protests have been crushed, dissent silenced, and political freedoms sharply curtailed. The Communist Party’s grip on power continues to tighten in ways that are increasingly impossible to ignore.

Under Xi Jinping, this trend has accelerated even further. Centralization is no longer merely a governing strategy; it has become the ultimate objective. Checks on power have been removed, opposition marginalized, and dissent rendered unacceptable. What was once meant to be a republic of equal citizens has evolved into a system where the Communist Party dominates all aspects of political and social life. The freedoms Sun Yat-sen once championed now seem more distant than ever.

Beijing justifies its control over Tibet and other regions in the name of unity. But unity imposed through force is not genuine unity. Tibetans are not integrating out of shared national purpose; they are complying because they have no alternative. This reality, however, rarely features in official narratives. Instead, Beijing projects an image of harmony and strength that contrasts sharply with conditions on the ground.

Consider Taiwan. Beijing insists the island must be brought under its control, despite the clear and repeated expression of the Taiwanese people’s desire to remain separate. Rather than enhancing China’s global standing, this pressure has fueled greater tension, fear, and instability across the region.

Tibet’s story is ultimately not just about Tibet. It reflects how the Communist Party has systematically hollowed out the ideals of freedom and democracy across China. The vision of a republic where diverse regions and peoples could coexist with dignity has been replaced by a centralized, authoritarian state. Sun Yat-sen’s dream of equality and mutual respect has given way to political uniformity enforced from the center.

Although China may be stronger in certain economic and military terms today, Tibet, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Taiwan do not represent Chinese power at its best. They are reminders of what happens when a government silences its people. Centralization of power does not produce unity; it breeds division.

Ultimately, Tibet’s struggle reflects a broader struggle unfolding across China. While Beijing may exert control over religion, politics, and daily life, it cannot extinguish the human desire for freedom. That aspiration endures, and it is something no government can ever fully suppress.