...............Back to Controversial Issue

Tibet's special status was that although Xizang (Tibet) did not lose its sovereignty, it was not an complete independent country. It was neither an independent state nor a colony. It was not taking care of all its affairs as an independent sovereign country. Yet at the same time, it was not ruled as a province of China by the Qing Court, which sent the Amban to Xizang (Tibet) as a "liaison officer" after the suppression of the Chunger Mongol rebellion. His position was not as high as the governor in a colony was. It was something like the British ambassador to Brunei who could consult and participate in the military and foreign affairs of Xizang (Tibet). The problem here is that Xizang (Tibet) had total autonomy over its domestic affairs while being part of the Qing Court with regard to foreign affairs. Due to this arrangement, many Chinese and foreigners who don't know all the facts are being confused and consider Xizang (Tibet) a province of the Chinese Empire.