Thread

In the current LAC standoff between India & China all kinds of theories have been given in the Indian press from a COVID-19 angle to a desire in Beijing to teach India a lesson for getting too close to the west.

However, a fundamental Chinese motivation has been ignored.

China’s underlying claims are based on historical extent of the Tibetan Empire of 7th to 9th A.D & subsequent old Tibet from 10th century on.

Ironically a Tibetan empire in constant conflict with its arch-enemy in Imperial China & China’s greatest threat on its western flank.

Imperial Tibet at one point even invaded & briefly occupied the Tang Dynasty capital of Changan & installed a puppet Chinese Emperor in 763 AD.

Both countries also had regional allies with China frequently allying with the Arab Caliphate on Tibet’s Western flank to pressure it.

Important point is Imperial Tibet extended boundaries of the empire to its maximum extent in all directions towards Central Asia, South Asia & even East Asia.
It also exercised suzerainty.
Then came a collapse due to internal power struggles & assassination of its last King.

Period of 9th to 10th century was one of fragmentation of the old Empire where independent Kingdoms emerged.

One of them was Ladakh established by Nyima-Gon or descendant of a Royal Tibetan Family lineage.

Such links to the Imperial past strengthened claims of the new Kings.

Thread broke here for some reason https://mobile.twitter.com/TenzingLamsang/status/1266951586837913600