Turning points in Modern Sino-Tibetan Relations
1903 British invasion of Tibet. Troops under Colonel Younghusband force their way to Lhasa from India, ostensibly to open trade with the reluctant 13th Dalai Lama. The 13th Dalai Lama flees to Mongolia.
1910 In part in response to the British invasion, ~2000 Qing Chinese troops occupy Lhasa, the first Chinese attempt to establish direct rule in Tibet. The 13th Dalai Lama flees to India.
1911 Collapse of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, the last imperial dynasty in China.
1913 13th Dalai Lama returns to Lhasa. Sends all Chinese troops out of the city and declares independence from Republican China.
1913-1950 Central Tibet enjoys de facto independence.
1949 Chinese Communists (CCP) win civil war against Republicans (KMT), call this the "liberation" of China and establish the People's Republic of China (PRC).
1950-1 Communist troops attack borders of central Tibet, Tibetans surrender and sign "17-Point Agreement" acknowledging Chinese sovereignty and claiming Tibet will be protected from communist reforms.
1958-1959 Revolts in eastern Tibetan regions and in Lhasa against Chinese-led reforms and flight of the 14th Dalai Lama. Tens of thousands of Tibetans flee to exile in India.
