There is a lot of information and data on the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) in China's official media, but information concerning the cadres who govern the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and some key aspects of China's policies on Tibet is very scanty. When available, the information is piecemeal and scattered and, therefore, denied to most except those who make determined efforts.
This book is an initial attempt to make pertinent information on Tibet readily available to an interested reader. The emphasis is on presenting biographical sketches of the relatively more important cadres to enable the analyst and reader to form an impression about the individual, his future career prospects and possibly his affiliations.
The book briefly discusses the Aid Tibet Programme. The programme's importance lies in the fact that it has ensured the exposure of many CCP cadres across China to the conditions in Tibet and had an important influence in their career paths. Consequently, over the years it has built a cohort of CCP cadres with a stake in the CCP and Central Government's policies on Tibet.
Jayadeva Ranade, is President of the 'Centre for China Analysis and Strategy'. He retired as Additional Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India in August 2008 and was later appointed as Member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). He is a Member of the Core Group on China of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA); Distinguished Fellow at the Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), New Delhi; and Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), New Delhi. Jayadeva Ranade has specialised for over 40 years in the analysis of developments relating to China, Tibet and East Asia, and strategic issues relevant to India. He has prepared and finalised briefs, including political and risk analyses, on sensitive issues for the highest echelons in Government. He obtained a Diploma of Advanced Proficiency in Chinese from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and a Diploma in Mandarin from the University of Hong Kong. In the course of his 35-year career, Jayadeva Ranade has been posted to Diplomatic Missions in areas strategically important for India, including Hong Kong, Beijing and Washington DC. He was conferred both the highest awards of the Organisation out of turn. Jayadeva Ranade is author of the book China Unveiled: Insights into Chinese Strategic Thinking, released in January 2013. He regularly contributes articles to leading Indian newspapers and defence and strategic publications. He often speaks at international conferences and on national and international Television channels.
