[TigersEye]

The article I quoted clearly tells me something. China never had a firm hold over Tibet. The power went back and forth for centuries. For a short time China held a claim to this part or that part of Tibet. Then Tibet would take control. Tibet even had control over China at times. At one time Mongols controlled both China and Tibet and put Tibet in charge of China.

Tibetans have maintained ethnically separate bloodlines and language for their entire history which indicates that China never had real influence over them. Sometimes China claimed to rule Amdo and Khams and sometimes Lhasa claimed them. But the people of Amdo and Khams never recognized either authority and neither one had the power to do more than illicit token treaties and obeisances from them until the invasion of the 1950s.

[badguy2200]

well,

1, Qianglong Emperor published a speical constitution of Tibet in 1790s.

2,Tibet indeed enjoyed semi-autonomy or even entire autonomy before 1950,but it can deny that TIbet was a part of CHiense empire.It was one of “inner vassals “ of Chinese empire,just like Mongolia.
...otherwise Britain would not deal tibet business through Beijing in 19th century.

3,”Tibetans have maintained ethnically separate bloodlines and language for their entire history “ just proves how generously Chinese treats the tradtional culture.

4,Amdo and Kham had been directly ruled by CHinese emperor for hundreds of years at least.
In part of Amdo and Kham, Han-chinese started to settle there when Roman Republic even still struggled to fight against Carthage.
When Roman fought against Carthage,where was Tibet?