Brothels at Base Camp

On July 9, we discussed the Chinese government’s controversial plans to build a paved road to Mount Everest. We decried how China’s development policies lead to the marginalization, exploitation, and commodification of Tibetans. Now we are confronted with a new BBC report that Mount Everest base camp is already a “wild west” town with drugs and prostitutes:

Drugs and prostitutes are available in the camp village that has grown up to serve mountaineers climbing the peak, according to US author and mountaineer Michael Kodas.

And there are worries that Chinese plans to build a permanent road to the camp could lead to further problems.

But China denies allegations it is spoiling the world’s highest peak.

When China comes out denying something (like SARS, torture in Tibet, or toxic toothpaste) it is a fairly good bet that it is true. China’s $20 million road to Mount Everest will certainly worsen the drugs, prostitution, and crime. …Not entirely surprising when you bring affluent visitors and migrant construction workers into a poverty-stricken area with little law enforcement. (There actually is a new military barracks at base camp, but the security forces are too busy shooting innocent Tibetan refugees and arresting peaceful protesters to bother with enforcing laws that protect the local Tibetan population).

There certainly are varying problems with prostitution and drugs in most countries, even wealthy ones. But it is difficult to ignore that there is a consistent pattern to China’s “development” of Tibet: ignore health and education for Tibetans, pour money into infrastructure, use Tibetans for “local color” for tourists, exploit the natural resources, and make it easy for Chinese colonists to take over.

True to form, China is spending $20 million for a road; imagine if that money were spent on providing prenatal care or primary education. Now, the local Tibetan population is so uneducated and underprivileged that any new shops and hotels will certainly be owned and run by Chinese — which is happening all over Tibet.

Ironically, the road will debut during next year’s Olympic torch relay, when China plans to bring the torch up Mount Everest in a grand statement of its control over Tibet. Unintentionally, the road is a perfect symbol of China’s rule in Tibet: exploitative, harmful to Tibetans, and beneficial to Chinese colonists. Just in time to show the world’s Olympics audience the true nature of Chinese rule in Tibet.