Suspicious questionnaire about Tibet distributed to overseas Chinese

Reporters Without Borders has obtained a copy of a questionnaire that has been circulated within the organisations of Chinese living it Europe. It canvasses views on Tibet and the Dalai Lama. Presented as a poll by Beijing’s Communication University, this very detailed questionnaire was in fact prepared at the behest of the government department responsible for overseas Chinese. Described as a poll “about the attitude of Chinese citizens and foreigners of Chinese origin about the Tibet problem” and distributed to thousands of Chinese in the world, especially in Europe, this questionnaire will enable the Chinese authorities to understand how the Tibet situation is perceived. “What is your attitude to the view that Tibet has been an indivisible part of Chinese territory since ancient times? and “In your view, what role did the Dalai Lama play in the incident of 14 March?” are two examples of the poll’s questions. The questionnaire also tries to establish how overseas Chinese obtain news and information about Tibet.