New Delhi: A US Congress delegation is in India’s city of Dharamshala to support the Tibetan cause, asserting that President Joe Biden will soon sign the Tibet Policy Bill aimed at pressing China to resolve the Tibet issue. The visit comes at a time when the US-China ties are already at an all time low, with many claiming that the United States’ main agenda is to contain Beijing.
Talks between Beijing and the Tibetan leaders have been stalled since 2010. Tibetan leaders, under the leadership of the the Dalai Lama, wished to secure an agreement after a failed uprising in the Chinese oppressions in Tibet, which led to their mass exodus in 1959.
US Delegation in Dharamashala
A bipartisan delegation of seven lawmakers, including Republican Representative Michael McCaul and Democratic former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, are in the Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. They met the Dalai Lama on Wednesday, June 19. The delegation visited the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in Dharamshala on Tuesday.
The seven-member visiting US delegation includes Rep Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita, Rep Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Rep Gregory Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep Nicole Malliotakis, Rep Jim McGovern, and Rep Ami Bera.
What is Tibet Policy Bill?
The US Congress, with the support of both Republicans and Democrats, passed the Resolve Tibet Act earlier this week. The act calls for a peaceful resolution of the dispute over the status and governance of Tibet. It also calls on Beijing to resume dialogue with the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. The US House of Representatives passed ‘Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act’, also known as the ‘Resolve Tibet Act’. It will become an act after the signature of Joe Biden.
The Resolve Tibet Act is a bipartisan bill to enhance US support for Tibet and promote dialogue between the People’s Republic of China and the Dalai Lama toward a peaceful resolution of the long-standing dispute between Tibet and China.
What China Said on US’ Move?
China has openly opposed the bill, asking US President Joe Biden to not sign it. China officially refers to Tibet as Xizang. “Anyone or any force who attempts to destabilise Xizang to contain or suppress China will not succeed,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing on Tuesday.
Beijing has even warned of resolute measures, calling it a ‘sovereignty issue’. “The US should not sign the bill. China will take resolute measures to defend its sovereignty, security and development interests,” the spokesperson said.
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