[colorado tanker]

This conflict is going to go on for a long time, until it explodes IMHO. One of the historical trends of the 20th Century that is continuing into the 21st is the breaking down of empires and polyglot states into smaller states, e.g., the breakup of the Austrian Empire, Russian/Soviet Empire, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, etc. Places are being given autonomy nearly equal to independence, like Catalonia and Scotland.

China is swimming against this tide in trying to piece back together the Chinese Empire and it will continue to cause unrest.

[PeterFinn]

This conflict is going to go on for a long time, until it explodes IMHO. One of the historical trends of the 20th Century that is continuing into the 21st is the breaking down of empires and polyglot states into smaller states, e.g., the breakup of the Austrian Empire, Russian/Soviet Empire, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, etc. Places are being given autonomy nearly equal to independence, like Catalonia and Scotland. China is swimming against this tide in trying to piece back together the Chinese Empire and it will continue to cause unrest.

Indeed. China is concerned about Tibet breaking away because right after Tibet leaves then so will Western (and Muslim) China along with Taiwan. It is further possible that China may devolve into the city-states that were essentially the China of just a century ago.

[Carry_Okie]

Places are being given autonomy nearly equal to independence, like Catalonia and Scotland.

This is a trend designed to empower global government. Support a "free Tibet" and we may reap an "independent Aztlan."