The Qinghai–Tibet War was a conflict that took place within the Sino-Tibetan War. A rebellion led by the Dalai Lama with British support wanted to expand the original conflict that was taking place between the Tibetan Army and Liu Wenhui (Sichuan clique) in Xikang, to attack Qinghai, a region northeast of Tibet. Using a dispute over a monastery in Yushu in Qinghai as an excuse in 1932, the Tibetan army attacked. Qinghai Muslim Gen. Ma Bufang overran the Tibetan armies and recaptured several counties in Xikang province. Shiqu, Dege and other counties were seized from the Tibetans.[1][2][3] The Tibetans were pushed back to the other side of the Jinsha river.[4][5] The Qinghai army recaptured counties that had fallen into the hands of the Tibetan army since 1919. The victory on the part of the Qinghai army threatened the supply lines to the Tibetan forces in Garze and Xinlong. As a result, this part of the Tibetan army was forced to withdraw. Ma and Liu warned Tibetan officials not to dare cross the Jinsha river again.[6] By August the Tibetans lost so much land to Liu Wenhui and Ma Bufang's forces that the Dalai Lama telegraphed the British government of India for assistance. British pressure led China to declare a cease-fire.[7] Separate truces were signed by Ma and Liu with the Tibetans in 1933, ending the fighting.[8][9][10] The British had backed up the Tibetans during the war. The Qinghai and Xikang troops engaged in celebrations after their victory over the Tibetans.[11]
National Revolutionary Army
Tibetan Army
Ma Zhanhai †