US Congress passes law to recognise rights of Tibetans; China criticises

Washington/Beijing: – The US Congress passed a bill accepting the Tibetan people’s right to choose the heir to Dalai Lama, the leader of Tibetan Buddhists. This US action is a major jolt for China and a strong reaction has been received from China. Dr Lobsang Sangay, the Chief of the ‘Tibetan Government in Exile’, welcomed the US action and said that this was a historical development.

The Chinese communist regime, who is taking advantage of the Coronavirus pandemic, to further its expansionist ambitions, has trampled the international agreement to take over Hongkong. At the same time, attempts are being made to capture regions in the South China Sea. There is intense resentment in the international community, about these Chinese actions and many countries are openly opposing China. The Chinese communist regime has already gobbled up Tibet and has refused fundamental, political and religious rights to the Tibetan people. The Chinese communist regime is also implementing a policy to destroy the unique cultural heritage of Tibet. China has dismissed the demand even for the Tibetan autonomy, leave aside independence.

Although China has succeeded in suppressing the Tibetan people’s voice using its economic, political and military might, the scenario seems to be changing now. The leading countries like the United States, European countries, Japan, Australia and India have repeatedly pointed out that the Chinese policies regarding Tibet are a cause for concern. The United States has taken an aggressive stand on the diplomatic level and has even imposed sanctions on China over the Tibet issue. A few months ago, Robert Destro was appointed by the United States as the special coordinator for Tibet.

The bill passed in the US Congress on Tuesday is a part of the aggressive US diplomatic campaign against China. The bill named ‘Tibetan Policy and Support Act’ clarifies that the rights to choose the heir to Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhists’ religious leader, are entirely in the hands of the Tibetan people. Simultaneously, the bill demands that the United States open a diplomatic office in Lhasa, an essential city in Tibet. Provision to initiate steps for environment conservation in Tibet is also there in the bill.

This US bill has been welcomed by Dr Lobsang Sangay, the Chief of the ‘Tibetan Government in Exile’ and he claimed that this bill is a message for China. The bill seems to have upset China strongly. Spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry warned ‘The United States is once again interfering in the internal Chinese matter. The United States should refrain from it and should prevent the bill from being converted into an act. Please be warned that in that case US-China bilateral relations could get strained.’