Why did the 14th Dalai Lama propose autonomy for Tibet within China?

The 14th Dalai Lama proposed autonomy for Tibet within China as part of a diplomatic strategy known as the "Middle Way Approach," which he introduced in 1988 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.1

This proposal was designed as a pragmatic middle ground between the complete independence of Tibet and its total absorption into the People’s Republic of China. By advocating for autonomy, the Dalai Lama sought to protect the fundamental human rights and cultural identity of the Tibetan people while allowing the region to benefit from China’s technological and defense capabilities.1

His efforts were part of a broader commitment to nonviolence and peace, which included his "Five Point Peace Plan" presented in 1987. Through these initiatives, he aimed to commence earnest negotiations regarding the future status of Tibet and improve relations between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples. Despite these diplomatic overtures, Chinese authorities have often viewed such calls for autonomy as a continuation of the exiled community's desire for independence, and the two sides have remained far apart on the issue.12