New Delhi: China on Tuesday warned the United States of “resolute measure,” while expressing “strong concerns” over the visit US Congressional delegation including former speaker Nancy Pelosi with Dalai Lama in Dharmashala.
Reacting to the meeting Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian while addressing the media said, ” The 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion. We are gravely concerned over the relevant reports and urge the US side to fully recognise the anti-China separatist nature of the Dalai group, honour the commitments the US has made to China on issues related to Xizang, have no contact with the Dalai group in any form, and stop sending the wrong signal to the world.”
China officially refers to Tibet as ‘Xizang.’
‘Purely China’s Internal Affair’s’
Adding further, the Chinese spokesperson also urged US President Joe Biden to refrain from signing the Tibet policy bill, adopted by both the US Senate and the House of Representatives, which awaits his signature.
“We urge the US side to adhere to its commitments of recognising Xizang as part of China and not supporting ‘Xizang independence.’ The US must not sign the bill into law. China will take resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests,” he added.
Beijing has always claimed that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times. Lin asserted that affairs related to Tibet are “purely China’s internal affairs that brook no external interference.”
“No one and no force should ever attempt to destabilise Tibet to contain and suppress China. Such attempts will never succeed,” he said.
According to the Chinese official, the US-drafted Tibet bill seeks to counter Beijing’s narrative about its control over Tibet but promotes dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama.
Lin said Tibet now enjoys a tranquil and harmonious society, with positive economic growth and has robust safeguards on people’s welfare and has opened up new grounds for long-term stability and high-quality development, PTI reported.
Earlier in April, China ruled out dialogue on the Dalai Lama’s long-pending demand for autonomy for his remote Himalayan homeland.
During 2002 and 2010, Tibet in its talks with China advocated for genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people aligning with the middle-way policy proposed by the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama’s stance emphasises not seeking political independence for Tibet but seeks autonomy for all Tibetan areas which includes Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces besides the current official Tibet Autonomous Region, a truncated version of Tibet before it was annexed by China.
(Inputs from PTI)
China Warns US of ‘Resolute Measures’ if Biden Signs Tibet Bill, CriticiSes Pelosi’s Visit world-news World News | Latest International Global World News | Todays Breaking News Headlines
