In a significant move affecting US-China relations, President Joe Biden signed into law the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act last Friday. This legislation articulates Congress’s view that Tibetans possess a distinct religious, cultural, linguistic, and historical identity, separate from that of the Chinese populace. It further condemns the Chinese government’s actions which allegedly undermine this identity through human rights violations.
The bill’s passage underscores Congressional findings of systematic rights abuses against Tibetans, framing these as breaches of international law, particularly the right to self-determination. Addressing these violations, the bill targets China’s dissemination of disinformation and calls for a revival of the stalled diplomatic dialogues between Tibetan and Chinese leadership, which ceased in January 2010.
The legislation amends the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 by defining Tibet to include the Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan-inhabited areas in China acknowledged by Chinese authorities in 2018 as “Tibetan Autonomous.” Furthermore, it mandates that the US President provide annual reports to Congress on efforts to counteract Chinese government disinformation regarding Tibet, and for the Special Coordinator to work with relevant bureaus to ensure US official communications address these issues effectively.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry issued a stern statement describing the law as a violation of US commitments and fundamental international norms. The ministry warned that the law interferes with China’s internal affairs and undermines its interests, cautioning that resolute measures would be taken if the US persists in this direction. The ministry’s full remarks can be found here.
For further details, the original article can be accessed on JURIST.