1978년 덩샤오핑(鄧小平)의 복권이후 14대 달라이 라마의 망명정부와 중국 정부는 티베트의 건설적인 미래에 관하여 접촉과 담판을 시작했다. 그 후로 30여년간 양자는 지속적으로 담판의 내용과 수위를 조절해가며 접촉을 계속해오고 있다. 중국정부의 입장과 태도는 시기와 사안에 따라 탄력성을 추구하지만 근본적인 관점은 변함이 없다. 즉 티베트가 ``독립``만 원하지 않는다면 어떤 장소 어디에서든 담판의 문은 열려있다는 것이다. 이에 반해 달라이 라마 측의 협상 조건과 내용은 시기적으로 변화를 가져왔다. 처음 ``티베트의 독립``(藏獨)에서 ``고도의 자치``(高度的自治)로 그리고 홍콩과 대만의 경우처럼 ``일국양제``(一國兩制)의 시스템을 요구하였다. 그런데 이 양자의 관계에서 주목해야 하는 점은 양자 담판의 배경과 쟁점의 배후에는 미국이 존재한다는 것이다. 1940년대부터 시작된 미국의 개입은 양자의 협상과 관계에 적지 않은 영향을 미쳐왔다. 본 논문은 티베트 문제에 관한 미국 역할의 변화 과정을 시기적으로 분석하고 고찰하였다. 또한 시기별로(냉전 시기와 탈냉전시기) 미국의 ``티베트 카드`` 활용의 전개방식과 역할의 변화를 살펴 보았다. 이를 통해 미국이 티베트를 어떻게 대(對)중국 ``전략적 자산``으로 운영하고 있는지에 대한 이해를 높이고자 한다.

Since Deng Xiaoping`s return to power in 1978, the 14th Dalai Lama`s Government in exile and the Chinese Government began contacts and negotiations on the "constructive future of Tibet." For 30 years since then, both parties have continued the negotiation by regulating the contents and level thereof. The position and attitude of the Chinese Government have been consistent. That is, as long as the other party does not demand Tibetan independence, the door to negotiation is always open. In contrast, the conditions and contents of negotiation on the part of Dalai Lama have changed depending on the times. At first they demanded the independence of Tibet, then high level autonomy, and then a "one state, two systems" model like Hong Kong or Taiwan. Also, amongst this environment and the issues of bilateral negotiations, there is always the USA. America`s involvement which began in the 1940s has played no small influence and role, in the negotiations and relationships between the two parties. Thus, this article has paid attention to the diplomacy and role of America on the Tibet issues This article has also reviewed the intention and effect of America`s use of the "Tibet card." The reason for this is that it exerts actual influence on the diplomacy and political relations between the US and China. Lastly, this article has made a forecast about how long the negotiations between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama will be effective and what form of change America`s diplomatic moves and roles will pursue. Since Deng Xiaoping`s return to power in 1978, the 14th Dalai Lama`s Government in exile and the Chinese Government began contacts and negotiations on the "constructive future of Tibet." For 30 years since then, both parties have continued the negotiation by regulating the contents and level thereof. The position and attitude of the Chinese Government have been consistent. That is, as long as the other party does not demand Tibetan independence, the door to negotiation is always open. In contrast, the conditions and contents of negotiation on the part of Dalai Lama have changed depending on the times. At first they demanded the independence of Tibet, then high level autonomy, and then a "one state, two systems" model like Hong Kong or Taiwan. Also, amongst this environment and the issues of bilateral negotiations, there is always the USA. America`s involvement which began in the 1940s has played no small influence and role, in the negotiations and relationships between the two parties. Thus, this article has paid attention to the diplomacy and role of America on the Tibet issues This article has also reviewed the intention and effect of America`s use of the "Tibet card." The reason for this is that it exerts actual influence on the diplomacy and political relations between the US and China. Lastly, this article has made a forecast about how long the negotiations between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama will be effective and what form of change America`s diplomatic moves and roles will pursue.