China on Thursday urged the tribunal to thoroughly reflect and fully revise its political claims in order to meet the Dalai Lama and also respect China’s sensitivity and importance on Tibet-related issues as the US is trying to pass a tough Tibet Policy Act.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference that China’s policy on contacts and meetings between the central government and the 14th Dalai Lama is consistent and clear.
What’s important is that the 14th Dalai Lama must thoroughly reflect on and completely revise his political stance, he said, without giving details.
China watched with alarm the visit of a high-powered U.S. congressional delegation to Dharamsala and its meeting with the 88-year-old Dalai Lama, as well as strong comments by key members of the delegation, U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who questioned China’s Tibet policy and called on Beijing to meet with the Dalai Lama.
Their visit came at a time when US President Joe Biden was set to sign the Tibet Policy Bill, which was passed by both the US Senate and the House of Representatives. The bill awaits Biden’s signature before it can become law.
The bill aims to counter Chinese claims of control over Tibet and promote dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama, Tibetan spiritual leader who has been based in India since fleeing the Himalayan region in 1959.
Beijing on Tuesday warned of “decisive measures” and urged President Biden not to sign the Tibet Policy Bill.
Regarding the US delegation’s visit to Dharamsala and their meeting with the Dalai Lama, Foreign Minister Lin said, “We urge the United States to fully recognize the sensitivity and importance of the Tibet issue, sincerely respect China’s core interests in its remarks on Tibet, refrain from any form of negotiations with the Dalai Lama’s faction, and stop sending wrong signals to the world.”
He also criticised reports that the Tibetan government-in-exile plans to use the new Tibet laws passed by the US Congress and Senate to force China to the negotiating table and encourage other countries to pressure China to negotiate with them.
“The so-called Tibetan government-in-exile is a thoroughly separatist political entity and an illegal organisation which completely violates China’s constitution and laws. It is not recognised by any country,” Lin said.
Speaking on Wednesday after meeting with the Dalai Lama at the U.S. Congress, McCaul said Tibetans have the right to self-determination and should be allowed the right to freely practice their religion.
Speaking at a ceremony after seven members of U.S. Congress met with Tibetan leaders, McCaul said the delegation had ignored warnings from the Chinese Communist Party.
“Tibetans have a distant religious, cultural and historical identity and should have a say in their own future. You should be free to practice your religion and that is why we are here today in defiance of the Chinese Communist Party’s warnings,” he said.
“Our delegation received a letter from the Chinese Communist Party warning us not to come here. They repeated their false claim that Tibet has been part of China since the 13th century, but we will not succumb to the Chinese Communist Party’s intimidation and are here today,” he said at an event organised by the Dharamsala-based Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
He added that the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan people and the United States know that Tibet is not part of China.
The U.S. delegation included Mariannette Miller, Gregory Meeks, Nicole Malliotakis, Jim McGovern and Ami Bera.
Speaking at his residence, the Dalai Lama said he wanted people all over the world to be happy and at peace.
Speaking at a later event, McCaul said the timing of his visit couldn’t have been better for the Tibet Policy Bill, which he added also calls for aggressively countering Chinese Communist Party propaganda about Tibet.
“I have presented the Dalai Lama with a wind chime, which will serve as a reminder of our support,” he said.
“Like many of you, I want this meeting to take place in Tibet, your home, but 65 years ago you were forced to flee after the Chinese Communist Party annexed Tibet and massacred tens of thousands of Tibetans,” he said.
The delegation leader claimed that the Chinese Communist Party was determined to eliminate Tibetan culture and forcibly subjugate Tibetans.
Thanks to the kindness of the Indian people, Tibetans who fled their homeland can live freely in this country and practice their religion without fear of persecution.
“I still hope that one day His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his people will return to Tibet in peace,” McCaul said.
He said the Chinese Communist Party continues to threaten the freedom of Tibetans decades later and accused China of meddling in the process of selecting the Dalai Lama’s successor.
This article has been published from a news agency feed without any modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
