Biden Signs Bill to Bolster US Support for Tibet, Calls for Dialogue

An influential US lawmaker lauds President Biden for enacting a bill to enhance US support for Tibet and encourage dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama. The legislation, supported by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul, aims to counter Chinese disinformation and promote Tibetan self-determination.

An influential American lawmaker has commended President Joe Biden for enacting legislation aimed at bolstering US support for Tibet and promoting dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama to peacefully resolve their longstanding dispute over the Himalayan region.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul expressed his satisfaction on Wednesday, hailing the signing of the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act into law. He did, however, criticize the administration's lack of stance on recognizing any future Dalai Lama or implementing the Tibet Policy Act of 2002.

McCaul had recently led a congressional delegation to India, in a move that sparked anger from China. The trip highlighted the bipartisan support in the US Congress for Tibet, occurring just days after the House passed its version of the bill.

"The CCP will stop at nothing to erase Tibetan culture and strip the Tibetan people of their right to self-determination. Leading a bipartisan delegation to India to meet with the Dalai Lama reaffirmed America's unwavering commitment to Tibet," McCaul remarked.

He continued, "We cannot let the CCP push its tyrannical agenda to erase cultures. I was proud to co-introduce this bipartisan bill to empower Tibet and the international community to stand up for justice and peace."

Beyond reaffirming American support for Tibetan culture and self-determination, the legislation counters Chinese disinformation and advocates for negotiations without preconditions between the CCP and Tibet.

"My Administration will continue to call on China to resume direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives to seek a negotiated agreement on Tibet," Biden stated last week after signing the bill.

In June, China had opposed the bill vehemently. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian declared, "Anyone attempting to destabilize Xizang to contain China will not succeed. China will take resolute measures to defend its sovereignty, security, and development interests."

The 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959, setting up a government-in-exile in Dharamshala, India. From 2002 to 2010, nine rounds of dialogue between the Dalai Lama's representatives and China yielded no concrete outcomes. China views the Dalai Lama as a separatist attempting to split Tibet from the country.

(With inputs from agencies.)