This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region. General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping stressed the need to unite all those who show patriotism during the Central United Front Work Conference from May 18 to 20. So then, will the Dalai Lama be united?

The Dalai Lama used to hold the post of Director of the Preparatory Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region. In the 1950s, Chairman Mao Zedong often wrote to him and sent valuable gifts. However, after the rebellion in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled the country. What is more ridiculous is that recently he called himself a “son of India”, even though he still has the Chinese nationality.

The title of Dalai Lama is conferred by the central government. Although he has not totally given up calls for “Tibet independence”, at least he dare not openly promote it. It seems reasonable that these factors may create a certain condition of being unified, and the Central Government has not closed the door for contacts and negotiations. If there can be reconciliation with the Dalai Lama, this would be wonderful to gain support to the strategies of realizing the Chinese dream. However, it is only wishful thinking.

First, the Dalai Lama does not seem to be a person who can be united. For decades he has not totally given up separatist activities. The “middle way” approach sounds like a “compromising” to resolve the “Tibet issue”, it is actually based on the “Five-Point Peace Plan” given in the United States in 1985 as well as his “Seven-Point New Proposal” given in Strasbourg, France in 1987 respectively. These two documents are, in fact, action plans for absolute “Tibet independence”. From the Dalai Lama’s words and deeds, he seems to be more a qualified force to be united by the United States and other western powers than by the CPC.

Second, the Dalai Lama is not an active person to be mobilized. In 1995 the Central Government put on several hats for him: the main instigator of the Tibetan “government in-exile” for "Tibet independence", a loyal tool of anti-China forces; the main source of social unrest in Tibet, and the biggest obstacle to establishing normal order in Tibetan Buddhism.

According to Zhu Weiqun, these four hats still fit him today. On the other hand, the Dalai Lama cannot be “mobilized”. The Central Government has maintained contacts with the Dalai Lama and his representatives since the end of 1978 and has allowed exiled Tibetans to visit their hometowns. After 2001, relevant departments in the Central Government conducted several rounds of contacts and talks with the Dalai Lama’s representatives, to ask the Dalai Lama respect history, face reality, completely abandon calls for “Tibet independence”, and to do things for the well-being of Tibet. In this regard, the Dalai Lama did not comply, but rather continued down the road of separatism.

Third, the Dalai Lama does not meet the requirements for political alliance. According to the newly issued the “CPC United Front Work Regulations”, all social workers, builders of the socialist cause, patriots who support socialism, reunification of the motherland, and dedication to the great patriotic political allies of China’s nationalities” are bound to be united. The Dalai Lama, however, is neither a socialist worker, nor a builder of the socialist cause.

Furthermore, he is neither a patriot who supports socialism and the reunification of the motherland, nor is he dedicated to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Therefore, he is really not qualified to be united.

Above all, the Dalai Lama cannot become a target to be united by the CPC unless he completely gives up calls for “Tibet independence, semi-independence, or disguised independence”, and ceases all separatist activities.