The People's Republic of China underwent a transition of power this month, as it does every ten years. Some observers hope that the new regime will be more flexible than the old on the issue of Tibetan autonomy.
Incoming Chinese premier Xi Jinping has a family history of friendly relations with the current Dalai Lama, unlike the outgoing premier, Hu Jintao. And with Tibetan self-immolations reaching more than 70 in just the past two years, it is clear that something needs to change.
Will the new regime allow the Tibetan people more freedom and self-governance? Or will it crack down, as previous Chinese governments have done? Only time will tell.
Photo by Alex Wong / Getty Images.
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