William Woodville Rockhill’s Influence On The Initial Formation Of U.S. Policy On Tibet

Rockhill was a well-known Tibetologist and diplomat in the United States at the end of the 19 th century and the beginning of the 20 th century.As the first American to investigate Tibetan areas,Rockhill published a large number of works on Tibetology,and he was hailed as the “Pioneer of Tibetology” in the United States.Rockhill’s study experience in France was an opportunity for him to study Tibetology,and his two visits to Tibet were an important turning point in his study of Tibet.Before entering Tibet for investigation,Rockhill’s Tibetan studies were in the text and language stage,mainly focusing on the translation of Buddhist scriptures,and he had not yet had a clear understanding of Tibet’s geography and humanities.The two visits to Tibet were an important beginning for Rockhill to fully understand Tibet,and it played a decisive role in the formation of his view on Tibet.Rockhill’s view of Tibet is mainly reflected in three aspects: one is that Tibet has a unique natural environment,which creates Tibet’s “mystery”;the other is that Tibetans are kind-hearted,affectionate and righteous,and they mainly believe in Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect;Third,from the perspective of geography,the relationship between the minister in Tibet and Tibet,and the Qing government’s attitude towards the bkav-shag regime in Tibet,Tibet is part of the Chinese Empire.His Tibetan complex and knowledge of Tibet became the basis for his later handling of the Tibet issue,and profoundly influenced the modern American policy toward Tibet.The formation of the U.S.policy toward Tibet has a profound historical background,and the process is complicated and tortuous,and the U.S.Minister to China Rockhill played a decisive role in the formation of the U.S.policy toward Tibet.The economic foundation determines the superstructure,and the US policy on Tibet is a profound reflection of the interests of the American monopoly bourgeoisie in modern times.The U.S.government adopted an "open-door" policy toward China under the suggestions of Rockhill and others,which also shows that the U.S.attaches importance to the Chinese market to an unprecedented height.In response to the crisis of British aggression in Tibet,Rockhill used the United States’ “open-door” policy as a basis,denied Britain’s so-called "suzerainty" theory,and opposed Britain’s attempt to monopolize Tibet.The US policy on Tibet objectively reflects Rockhill’s understanding of “Tibet belonging.” The six-year exchange between Rockhill and the 13 th Dalai Lama centered on the "Tibet issue".As the minister and Tibetologist in China,Rockhill has discussed the status of Tibet,the relationship between the Dalai Lama and the Qing government,and the Qing government’s influence on Tibet between the Dalai Lama,the Qing government and the U.S.government.Acting as a consultant and adviser on a series of issues such as reform,and reporting to US President Roosevelt.Rockhill’s handling of the Tibet issue not only embodies Rockhill’s own attitude towards Tibet-related issues,but also initially formed the US stance and policy on the Tibet issue.