I can't help now but question the whole independence movement.  Considering that China has 50+ ethnicities, many languages, and autonomous regions (not just Tibet), XinJiang Uighur Autonomous Region, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, why then should Tibet be independent?  Lets go ahead and also have XinJiang break away, as well as Inner Mongolia, and Guangxi then?

At this point since the Dalai Lama himself said he is also no longer campaigning for independence, then the point is moot, and he has effectively legitimized Chinese rule over Tibet, and thats not necessarily a bad thing.  The Chinese gov. has invested money in Tibet, and has done some positive things in trying to improve life there, by trying to provide education, and trying to at least increase the standard of living for the Tibetans.

At one point however, the Dalai Lama changed his position to outright independence to 'greater autonomy', which in my view is confusing.  Tibet , like any other Autonomous region has a local gov, for that area, and not just Chinese Mandarin/writing is used, but as well as the Tibetan language/script.  This is the same in Inner Mongolia where both Mandarin, plus Mongolian language/script is used, etc.