1987–1989 Tibetan unrest

"[2] China rejected the idea of Tibetans as an invaded people, stating that "Tibet is an inalienable part of Chinese territory" and has been for hundreds of years.

Twenty-one monks from Lhasa's Drepung Monastery and an undetermined number of laypeople took to the streets to show their support for the Dalai Lama, waving the Tibetan flag and calling for Tibetan independence; the Chinese authorities arrested all twenty-one monks as well as five laypeople.

[6][5] Chinese media classified those involved as rioters, agitators, and members of a "clique of supporters of the Dalai Lama.

"[7] In the following weeks, the Chinese authorities arrested hundreds of Tibetans suspected of being at the demonstrations, told foreign travellers and journalists to leave, and established a curfew.

[11] The few foreign journalists and tourists remaining were expelled from Tibet on March 10 and an estimated 60,000 Chinese troops and police arrived in Lhasa to restore order.

[12] Accounts of underreported deaths and excessive military threat against protesters have surfaced, but verifiable details remain elusive.

An overwhelming force of 250 armed police broke up the peaceful demonstrations, reportedly beating the protesters with a variety of weapons, and arresting the monks.

[20] October 8 – Chinese authorities told foreign journalists to leave Tibet within 48 hours or "face the consequences.

In his speech at the European Parliament on June 15, 1988, the Dalai Lama proposed a solution for Tibet "in association with the People's Republic of China."

The sentences ranged from three years imprisonment to the death penalty (with delay of March 7 – all foreigners including journalists were evacuated.