Is it possible to talk to a Chinese person about Tibet over Skype or will the Chinese person tell you what the government say about the topic because they have to fear the government?

Well, the fact is, there's hardly any difference between Chinese internet users with others in America, Europe, India... ... Yes, GFW is there, blocking the facebook, twitter, and so forth. But we have our ways to get the news and information we want. The government media, in nowadays,  find more and more difficult to cover some facts. As you know, no technology could prevent something concealed, especially for a country with  356 million internet users. The government has far less credibility than 10 or 20 years ago. Next question, is government monitoring online conversation. Yes,  just like PRISM. But you rant at  President Xi, curse the Communist Party, talk about Tibet, no problem. Admittedly,  talking to much about stuff like these  is a little dangerous, but not that dangerous. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PS: Another fact we cannot ignore is that, media are more prefer to show us what we want to see, rather the truth itself. I have been to Tibet for a whole month and make several local friends there. The story I learned is that, there is not  a simple black white model. The Internet in Tibet are under strict surveillance. Police everywhere.But government doesn't harsh to people, on the contrary, the public welfare there are far more better than other places in China. To encourage education, government reward the family if their children go to school. The ones who build a house would get generous subsidies. Not everyone like Communist Party, but some do. Again, as Julius Caesar's words "Men are nearly always willing to believe what they wish. " Some patriots shows chauvinism，go to extrems because some facts like: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- So, another question. When I doubt whether Chinese government (or some Western media, not to offend)  is fooling me, how could I know the truth. All I can do is to use my rationality,  put prejudice aside, compare the same story of different versions, find the source of News, and draw a conclusion deliberately.

i think that person probably doesn't like the topic. In China, people take for granted that Tibet is part of China. They are curious why foreigners are so interested in Tibet or Dalai Lama. It has nothing to do with the fear to the government. Why should Chinese people fear the government anyway?

It is a silly one. Chinese really don't like talking with non-Chinese about politics, for most of you even do not know where Tibet is. If you do want to discuss anything, read books about Chinese history first (including ancient history). That will help a lot.

It's not so sensitive but I suggest you not to do so if you, like most westerns on the internet, use the simple-minded formula: CCP is not creditable => Any attack against CCP is creditable. And before you are going to talk about it, bear it in mind, most first hand historical document about Tibet and Xingjiang are in Chinese written before 1949.

*WARNING WARNING  You have been brain washed by Western propaganda. *I'm sorry I must say. As a Chinese, I'm sick and tired of answering questions about Tibet.  If you seek truth. Just fly to China, then take the High Speed Rail to Tibet and see for yourself what is really happening over there. Or I recommend you to watch a documentary "CIA Operation Shadow Circus" you can find it on YouTube. Tibet Study History, Not Media.

It is not possible, as you have already decided: If a Chinese doesn't agree with your position, he/she is just being afraid that his/her position to be not inline with the government. You should really ask "is it possible that a Chinese will agree with me?". Then the answer is yes, Chinese has all kinds of opinions, just like you as a human. But of course, Chinese with a different opinion than you are pawns of their government, while you just coincidentally totally agree with your politicians about the issue of Tibet. Brilliant.

Sometimes I receive phone call from Falungong group over Skype,I just get fed up with these things.You see,I am not afraid of the government tapping my phone,maybe they are.But if you live in China,you would know,It's unlikely to get arrested by simply talking about politics.They block the internet,but they dont really care. But foreigner often got only opinions but not sufficient information for an interesting conversation.And they just think we're all brainwashed so they're helping us by educating us and all the cliche are some revelations we cant handle.I just dont like the arrogance.

Is it possible to talk to a Chinese person about Tibet over Skype or will the Chinese person tell you what the government say about the topic because they have to fear the government?It is possible to have such talk and they most likely tell you what government said not because fear, but because they agree with government.Ask a British person in 1910: “what is happening in Ireland? why not let them become independent?”, ask same question about India, south Africa during their colonial time under British. They most likely tell you what government said for the same reason.It is not about moral or ethics here. It is about you (Tibet) and me (CCP and Chinese people). It is about taking sides, and it is clear Chinese people choose CCP, because they are one, CCP is their party. Tibat is just a foreign country and Chinese likes more lands and big China, many other people does too.

As I tell my American friends, "Chinese people are free to express their opinions, but they understand that free speech comes with responsibilities." And I usually add that, "...most Americans don't realize that free speech is not free."