When Peking decided in 1951 to annex Tibet and turn it into a Chinese province, it was the inhabitants of Kham and Amdo who were the first to be exposed to Chinese troops. Surprised by the suddenness and violence of the attack, the Tibetan population had nothing but its courage to oppose an army that was much better prepared. Alas, this sole virtue was insufficient to repel such an adversary.

In 1956, the Chinese occupants of Eastern Tibet, under cover of a ‘reform’ and in order to consolidate the authority of their regime, multiplied violence and atrocities against both the civilian populations of these regions and the Tibetan monks. Disgusted by such acts, the Tibetan people finally took up arms. However in the face of the violence of the Chinese repression that followed, these volunteers were forced to retreat towards Central and Western Tibet. Communist China now imposed even greater pressure on the Tibetan government.

 Despite this increasing oppression, the Tibetan people resolved to form an armed and organized resistance. This was far from easy, as the Chinese authorities deployed constant surveillance and viewed the least activity with suspicion. In order to thwart Chinese vigilance and to allow contact between different groups, important religious ceremonies were organized in Lhasa, during which leaders met for secret discussions. The result of these debates was the constitution of a unified organisation. On 16 June 1958, the creation of the Volunteer Force for the Defence of Tibet was officially announced.

 During these years and up to 1959 Chinese interference and pressure grew, eventually threatening the security of the Dalai Lama himself. This provoked a great deal of anxiety for the Tibetan people, which made the situation even more tense and explosive. Confronted with this critical situation, His Holiness the Dalai Lama decided to leave Lhasa. Chushi Gangdrug did what was necessary to protect the Dalai Lama and his suite from Chinese pursuit, and safely escorted them, together with the members of the political cabinet, to the Indian border.

 From 1960 Chushi Gangdrug was reorganized and settled in Mustang, in Northern Nepal. In spite of the harshness of the climate and the absence of comfort in this isolated region, the organisation grew. From its base, it led several raids on Chinese installations in Tibet. Despite many deaths, its actions have helped the Tibetan people to maintain the spirit of the fight for liberty, faith and above all, hope.

 Between 1972 and 1974, when American and Nepalese support was in doubt, the organisation dispersed its Mustang base. Since then, Chushi Gangdrug’s activities have turned towards support of needy Tibetan families and the execution of sanitary and educational projects. This new position corresponds to the Dalai Lama’s wish that the association should pursue its goals by non-violent means.