Reasons specific to China

In addition to those reasons, which apply equally to China as to other countries, the PRC has additional motive for wanting to keep its control over Tibet.

1.) Example to other semi-autonomous regions. A great concern for China is what precedents they might set by granting independence to Tibet. China also has other regions besides Tibet, such as Taiwan or Inner Mongolia, that are striving to gain either autonomy or independence.

Allowing Tibet to gain independence or even granting them greater autonomy would likely encourage increased pressure from Taiwan and others, something the PRC is definitely endeavoring to prevent.

2.) Water. Also, many of the major rivers in China, including the Chang Jiang, have their sources in Tibet. Without control of the source, China could potentially lose a good deal of their water supply should Tibet choose to build a dam over any major rivers. Though this is unlikely, due to Tibet's lack of funds and motivation, it still presents itself as a possibility.

A map of Central Asia. TIbet is the lighter region north of the Himalayas.

Source: CIA's World Factbook (public domain) at Wikimedia

3.) Military position x2. The strategic position of Tibet has likewise holds more importance for China than for Russia and Great Britain, who do not share a border with the other Central Asia nations on the Tibetan side.

Should India or some other nation attack from the west, Tibet could prove invaluable to the PRC. Again, that seems unlikely, but the position has great potential nonetheless.

There are several reasons why China wants Tibet, and for these reasons, China is in no way eager to give up its fight, nor do I think it ever will be. In Part 3, I will cover the current policies and viewpoints of both Tibet and China, as well as cover the Dalai Lama. If you're interested, here is a link to Part 3: Current Policies and the Dalai Lama , as well as Part 4: Controversy and Protests over Violence, Past and Present.