Editor's note: Qiao Basheng, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a professor at the Institute of China's Borderland Studies, Zhejiang Normal University, and an adjunct professor at Northwest University of Political Science and Law, China. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

Xizang Autonomous Region has been an inalienable part of China since ancient times. This is not a narrative that can be arbitrarily tailored, but a fact confirmed by long-term historical interactions, continuous administrative jurisdiction, clear institutional norms, and widespread international recognition.  

To understand Xizang's historical status, one must place it within the complete process of the formation and development of China as a unified multi-ethnic country and uphold a holistic view of history. One cannot use fragmented narratives to sever the political ties, ethnic exchanges, and cultural blending between Xizang and the Chinese mainland that have persisted for over a thousand years.  

Historically, the ties between Xizang and the Chinese mainland run deep. In the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the central government established the Supreme Control Commission of Buddhism (later renamed the Commission for Buddhist and Tibetan Affairs), and set up in Xizang the Chief Military Command under the Pacification Commissioner's Office to directly manage the region's political and military affairs.

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) generally followed the Yuan administrative system for Xizang. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Court of Tribal Affairs (later the Ministry of Tribal Affairs) took charge of the region’s affairs. The central government continued to exercise sovereignty over Xizang during “the Republic of China” period (1912-1949).

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Xizang was peacefully liberated in 1951. The 1951 "17-Article Agreement" clearly stipulated that Xizang would implement regional ethnic autonomy under the unified leadership of the Central People's Government. The Constitution and the Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy stipulate that all ethnic autonomous areas are inalienable parts of the People's Republic of China, and the autonomous organs of ethnic autonomous areas exercise the right of autonomy while safeguarding national unity.  

The system of regional ethnic autonomy both guarantees the right of Xizang's various ethnic peoples to govern their own affairs and upholds national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, the Xizang Autonomous Region has adhered to the Party's strategy for governing the region in the new era, with its governance in accordance with law. 

Safeguarding national unity, strengthening ethnic solidarity, promoting long-term stability and high-quality development are the focal points.  

China is a unified multi-ethnic country, with all ethnic groups jointly opening up territory, jointly writing history and jointly creating culture. Xizang's history is part of the shared history of the Chinese nation, and the various ethnic peoples of Xizang are important members of the Chinese nation's big family.  

Through prolonged interaction, exchange and integration, all Chinese people, including all ethnic peoples of Xizang, have jointly forged a strong sense of community and firmly opposed separatist activities. The so-called Tibetan independence narrative fabricated by Western anti-China forces has neither historical basis nor basis in international law. Any attempt to replace holistic facts with fragmented narratives, or to deny China's sovereignty over Xizang through localized incidents, is doomed to fail.

History does not lie, the law brooks no challenge, and the will of the people cannot be defied. Xizang's past, present and future are all closely connected with the great motherland. By upholding ‌the guidelines of Communist Party of China for governing Xizang in the new era, upholding the system of regional ethnic autonomy and fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, Xizang will write a more united, prosperous, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful chapter in the process of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Any scheme to split the country is doomed to fail. Xizang is an inalienable part of China; it was, is and will forever remain so.

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