During the Ming, Tibet was not regarded as part of the Imperial domains by either Tibet or China. A special bureau within the Ming government was devoted to relations with Tibet, and there was no question of either Tibet or Mongolia being a Chinese province. Even during the Ch'ing, the Manchus did not exert any direct control over Tibet until the middle of the 18th century. When the Ch’'ing fell, both Mongolia and Tibet reasserted their independence, which lasted until the Communist takeover.

Source: The Nation Bangkok May 07, 2018 18:00 UTC