The Dalai Lama: A Boon for China's Vision?

It's been three years since the Dalai Lama, the traditional high priest of Tibetan Buddhism, last had direct contact with China, but the 58-year estrangement may be reaching a turning point again. Recent reports revealed that Samdhong Rinpoche -- the Dalai Lama's personal emissary and former prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile based in Dharamshala, India -- had made a discreet visit to Kunming, China, in November. There have been other subtle developments between the two sides: The Dalai Lama recently offered several public conciliatory gestures, intimating his hope to return to his Tibetan homeland and reiterating his disinterest in seeking Tibetan independence. He also appointed two emissaries to represent his "global engagement" as a way to ease Beijing's concerns over his political role in the cause for Tibetan autonomy. Former U.S. President Barack Obama also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Dalai Lama over three days in...