This was unquestionably the case until very very recently. But since the 2008 riots in Tibet there has been an ever growing backlash in two forms: internet nationalism- angry Chinese government supporters who recycle the same old statements about ‘the west’ not understanding China; and political cowardice/ lack of integrity from several governments who had, until recently, been happy to meet with the Dalai Lama or maintain official policies that insisted China would work with the Dalai Lama’s representatives to resolve the situation.

Of course there are also many westerners who, pointing out as you do that Tibet was never a Shangri-La, believe that Tibet is better off being oppressed by its neighbor.