China condemns new US bill on Tibet, vows to ‘firmly defend’ its interest

Asia-Pacific, News, US July 14, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

China expressed staunch opposition to a newly signed U.S. law that urges Beijing to address Tibet’s calls for greater autonomy. This response came after President Joe Biden signed the Tibet Dispute Act into law on July 12, 2024.

The newly passed Tibet Dispute Act aims to push China into holding talks with Tibetan leaders, which have been stalled since 2010, to secure a negotiated agreement on the region and address the Tibetan people’s aspirations concerning their historical, cultural, religious, and linguistic identity.

China’s foreign ministry sharply criticized the legislation, stating that it “grossly interferes in China’s domestic affairs, undermines China’s interests, and sends a severely wrong signal to the ‘Tibet independence’ forces.” The ministry insisted that the U.S. must not implement the Act, warning that if the U.S. continues this path, China will take resolute measures to defend its sovereignty, security, and development interests.

This latest development comes at a significant moment, as the Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, recently celebrated his 89th birthday. The Dalai Lama, who is recovering from a medical procedure, has indicated that he will clarify questions about his succession around his 90th birthday. China, however, indicated that it will choose his successor, underscoring the ongoing tensions over Tibetan leadership and autonomy.

The U.S. has long supported the rights of the Tibetan people to practice their religion and culture, frequently accusing China of human rights violations in the remote Himalayan region. Although Washington recognizes Tibet as part of China, analysts suggest that the new law appears to challenge that position.

The Act is the latest step to underscore U.S. support for Tibet and promotes dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama toward a peaceful resolution of the status and governance of the region.

U.S. President Biden emphasized the bipartisan commitment to advancing the human rights of Tibetans and supporting efforts to preserve their distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage.

US President Biden at White House — *^{U.S. President Joe Biden at the presidential retreat at Camp David, in this official White House handout photo released on February 12, 2022. (Image Credit: The White House/via Reuters)}*

“My Administration will continue to call on the People’s Republic of China to resume direct dialogue, without preconditions, with the Dalai Lama, or his representatives, to seek a settlement that resolves differences and leads to a negotiated agreement on Tibet,” Biden said.

Dalai Lama in exile

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 and established a government-in-exile in Dharamshala, India. From 2002 to 2010, the Dalai Lama’s representatives and the Chinese government held nine rounds of dialogue, which failed to produce any concrete outcomes. China views the Dalai Lama, now based in India, as a “separatist” working to split Tibet from the rest of the country.

The latest act reaffirms the U.S. recognition of the Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan areas as part of the People’s Republic of China. However, it rejects China’s historical claims over Tibet, pushing for negotiations without preconditions between the Chinese government and Tibetan representatives. It also mandates the State Department to coordinate with other governments in multilateral efforts toward a negotiated agreement on Tibet.

In response to the Act, the State Department imposed visa restrictions on several Chinese officials for their involvement in the “repression of marginalized” religious and ethnic communities.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller highlighted the ongoing human rights abuses in Tibet, among other regions, and called on China to adhere to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to accept recommendations made during the Universal Periodic Review of its human rights record.