1. Tibet Autonomous Region. Invaded by People's Liberation Army troops in 1949-50. Proclaimed an autonomous region of China in 1965. The Chinese, when referring to Tibet, invariably mean the TAR, about one third the size of the old Tibet.

2. Qinghai Provence. Most of Amdo region of Tibet. First claimed by Chinese Emperor K'ang Hsi in 1720. Claim pursued by Kuomintang under Chiang Kai Shek. Communists incorporated Amdo into China after 1950. The Tibetans refuse to recognise these ancient imperial claims.

3. Kanlho Tibetan Autonomous Perfecture. Part of Amdo region of Tibet; reorganised as an autonomous Tibetan prefecture under the Chinese province of Kansu in 1958-64.

4. Ngapa Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Part of Amdo region of Tibet; reorganised as a Tibetan autonomous prefecture under Szechuan province prior to 1950.

5. Kanze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Part of Kham region of Tibet; Occupied by PLA troops before the Communists came to power in 1949. Reorganised as part of Sikang province 1950-54. Sikang was dismantled by 1957 and Kanze was reorganised as an autonomous prefecture under Szechuan province.

6. Dechen Tibet Autonomous Prefecture. Part of Kham region of Tibet. Occupied by PLA troops prior to 1949 and reorganised under Yunman province. There was widespread fighting in these parts even before the PLA troops crossed the Dri-chu (Yangtse) in October 1950.

Adapted from Tibet: The Facts by Paul Ingram. Tibetan Young Buddhist Association 1990.