Historical facts over the past centuries provide evidence

against the "Tibet independence" myth. "Tibet came under the direct rule of the Chinese central government during the Yuan Dynasty in the 13th century. "In 1288, the Yuan regime formalised a ministry-level agency to administer the entire Tibetan region", it said. "During the Qing Dynasty, all the Dalai Lama reincarnations required approval from Beijing", it said. After the Republic of China was founded in 1911, it reaffirmed the central government's authority over Tibet in the republic's first constitution, the commentary said. "The 'Tibet independence' myth was just a fantasy that evolved during the late 19th century as a product of imperialist invasion -- particularly by the British invaders", it said. The commentary also denounced "McMahon Line", the bone of contention between India and China over demarcating the boundary between the two countries. "The Chinese government never recognised the Simla Convention, which attempted to grant China secular control over 'Inner Tibet', while recognizing the autonomy of 'Outer Tibet' under the Dalai Lama's rule", it said. "Behind the back of the Chinese delegates, the British created the notorious 'McMahon Line' in an under-the-table deal with Tibetan representative Xazha, which the Chinese government never accepted", it said. "According to the deal, Tibet was to cede 90,000 square km of Chinese territory to Britain in exchange for further British pressure on China to seek Tibet's independence", it said. Xinhua added that the McMahon Line was never accepted by the Chinese government "but foreign intervention continued until after Tibet's liberation in 1951". "Looking back on history, it's easy to see what the 'Tibet independence' myth is all about and who is behind the fantasy. "It is therefore ridiculous for the overseas separatist forces to play up the farce and expect applause from the audience", it said.