Zakaria : Tibetans see culture , language , religion as being extinguished by China . ` The Chinese government has been trying to suppress Tibetan Buddhism for decades and the Dalai Lama is a symbol of resistance against that suppression. In 1912 , Tibet declared itself independent , but China never recognized it as such . Zakaria : Dalai Lama does not seek Tibetan independence , just cultural autonomy .
Zakaria : Tibetans see culture , language , religion as being extinguished by China . ` The Chinese government has been trying to suppress Tibetan Buddhism for decades and the Dalai Lama is a symbol of resistance against that suppression. In 1912 , Tibet declared itself independent , but China never recognized it as such . Dalai Lama does not seek Tibetan independence , just cultural autonomy .