I will refrain from commenting too much on the politics of this area. The Tibetans are a wonderful people and it is perhaps a great shame to see their ethnic routes being diluted. In many ways, though, what is done is done and there is little doubt that the Chinese investment in this area and the creation of the Beijing-Tibet railway is bringing a prosperity to Tibet that could not have happened otherwise. Everywhere there are signs of new building, infrastructure improvement and of on-going investment. As always progress is a double edged sword. Whilst some may find the stealthful cleansing of Tibetan culture distasteful, though, more than anything I think we should lament the inevitable dissolution of one of natures great wildernesses. This is a harsh and beautiful environment and it seems clear to me that the Chinese intend to tame it. The day that the footings are laid for the 'Everest base camp hotel' will, in my opinion, be a day of unparallelled tragedy.