Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme

Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme was a prominent Tibetan official. He held many military and political roles throughout his life. His career spanned the period before and after 1951. This was a time of massive change in Tibet. He was a leader who worked within changing government systems. He is often called simply Ngapoi in English texts.

Ngapoi was born on February 1, 1910. He was born in Karma Gorge near Lhasa. His family belonged to the Horkhang, a leading Tibetan aristocratic group. His family was descended from former kings of Tibet. His father was a very powerful man. He served as the governor of Chamdo. He was also the commander of the Tibetan armed forces. Ngapoi studied traditional Tibetan literature as a young man. Later, he traveled to Britain for further education. He returned to Tibet in 1932 to join the army.

Ngapoi began working as a local official in 1936. He worked in the Chamdo region. In April 1950, he was appointed governor-general of Chamdo. He took this office in September 1950. He also became the commander-in-chief of the Tibetan Army. His predecessor, Lhalu, had built fortifications and asked for more weapons. Ngapoi chose a different path. He had the fortifications removed. He refused to hire Khampa warriors. He also declined to install portable wireless sets. He believed negotiation was better than fighting.

In October 1950, Tibetan forces met the People's Liberation Army. This is often called the PLA. The battle ended very quickly. Ngapoi had warned that the Tibetan forces were no match for the PLA. The PLA had recently liberated China. They had defeated millions of Kuomintang soldiers. Ngapoi surrendered Chamdo to the Chinese forces. The PLA treated him well after the surrender. They gave him lectures on the policies of the New China. Within one year, he became a deputy commander-in-chief for the PLA in Tibet.

Ngapoi became a key negotiator for Tibet. He led the Tibetan delegation to Beijing in 1951. He signed the Seventeen Point Agreement with the Chinese Communist government. This agreement accepted Chinese sovereignty over Tibet. In return, it promised autonomy and religious freedom.

This agreement is a subject of great debate. Some in the Tibetan exile community say the signature was obtained under duress. They argue he did not have the power to sign for all of Tibet. They say he was only the governor of Chamdo. The Dalai Lama later said the Tibetan people did not accept the deal. He claimed the Chinese broke the terms of the agreement.

However, other accounts offer a different view. A negotiator named Sambo Rimchi said the delegation had authorization. He said the Dalai Lama told them to use their best judgment. They even used a secret codebook to talk to leaders in Yadong. They wanted to discuss issues as they happened. Historians note that the Dalai Lama later ratified the agreement. This happened a few months after the signing. Ngapoi also helped solve practical problems. He helped manage food and supplies for the PLA. He created a subcommittee in the Kashag to manage grain stores.

Ngapoi was a progressive leader who wanted to modernize Tibet. He was part of a movement to change old systems. He headed the Reform Assembly. This group created new laws between 1953 and 1954. These laws changed interest rates and old loans. They also changed how counties were administered. He was a minister trusted by both the Chinese and the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama often discussed politics with him in private.

Ngapoi held many high-ranking positions for decades. He served on the State Ethnic Affairs Commission. He was a member of the National Defence Council. In 1955, he was appointed a lieutenant general.

He was also awarded the Order of Liberation, first class. In 1956, he became the secretary general for a committee regarding the Tibet Autonomous Region. He remained a significant figure in the Chinese administration of Tibet. Ngapoi Ngawang Jigme lived until December 23, 2009.