Chronology of events leading up to the signing of the Seventeen Point Agreement.

1949

1 October

The Communists establish the People's Republic of China.

2 November

The Foreign Bureau of the Government of Tibet writes to Chairman Mao requesting that the new Government of China should respect the territorial integrity of Tibet.

3 December

Tibet appeals to Britain and the United States for assistance in securing admission to the United Nations.

1950

1 January

The Chinese Government announces on Radio Peking its intention to liberate Tibet from Anglo-American imperialism.

12 January

Britain refuses help on the grounds that the Russians would veto Tibet's admission.

22 January
Tibet sends a delegation to meet with the new Communist Government, proposing that the meeting should take place in Hong Kong.

11 May
The British Government refuses to allow the meeting to take place in Hong Kong.

16 September
Chief of the Tibetan delegation, Tsepon Shakabpa, meets Chinese Ambassador in Delhi. The Chinese demand that Tibet be recognised as part of China.

28 September
The Tibetan Cabinet refuses to accept the Chinese demands.

6 October
40,000 Chinese troops invade Tibet.

19 October
Fall of Chamdo. Ngapo Ngawang Jigme, the Governor and military Commander of Eastern Tibet, is taken prisoner.

22 October
Tsepon Shakabpa meets Chinese Ambassador in Delhi and demands that the Chinese Army be withdrawn from Tibet.

7 November
Tibetan Government appeals to the United Nations.

19 November
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, enthroned as the Spiritual and Temporal ruler of Tibet.

20 November
El Salvador proposes a resolution at the UN on China's "unprovoked aggression" against Tibet.

24 November
The UN decides to postpone discussion on Tibet.

19 December
Tibetan Government dispatches Ramshi Sambo and Thubten Lengmon to Chamdo to assist Ngapo in Chamdo.

20 December
The Dalai Lama leaves Lhasa for Yatung, near Indian border.

1951

7 January
Tibetan Government holds emergency meetings in Yatung to discuss response to the Chinese invasion. The Government dispatches Dzasa Kheme and Lhawutara to Peking to negotiate with the Chinese.

11 February
Samo and Thubten Lengmon arrive in Chamdo and present five point proposal to the Chinese, repudiating all Chinese claims over Tibet. Reaffirms Tibet's independence.

26 April
Tibetan delegation arrives in Peking and is welcomed by Chou Enlai.

29 April
Discussion begins between Tibetan delegation headed by Ngabo and the Chinese representative Li Weihan.

10 May
Meeting breaks down. Tibetan delegation refuses to accept stationing of Chinese Army in Tibet. Li Weihan gives ultimatum: either the Tibetans accept the Chinese demands or the PLA would march into Tibet