This is the last part of the Revolution's program not yet repudiated, and the part that speaks to Chinese nationalism, pride, and the regaining of its territorial sovereignty. So China is not in a very charitable mood when it comes to independence movements and even movements towards autonomy. In Chinese leadership circles, these issues just do not play very well. International protest presents a paradox. On the one hand, it certainly pushes China and reminds it that the world is watching.
China needs to gain that kind of consciousness about what it's doing.
It can't just do what it wants. It's been isolated for so long, it's gotten into some very refractory habits. On the other hand, it also inflames the situation because it links the Tibetan question up with what the Chinese view as outside interference, further abridgments of its sovereignty. So, at the same time that it helps, it also hinders. It creates a very difficult situation for anyone seeking resolution.