US House approves Tibet bill in latest human rights challenge to Beijing
- The Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019 lays out a road map for sanctions against Chinese officials who interfere in the Dalai Lama’s succession
- Bill, which passed easily, would also block new Chinese consulates in US until Beijing lets Washington build its own diplomatic station in Tibet
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the passage of the act sent a wrong signal to “forces seeking Tibet independence”.
“The issues about Tibet are not ethnic and religion problems. They are also not human rights issues. It is about the important principle of China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Hua said in a statement, adding the US should immediately correct its action.
The legislation also sets out a road map for sanctions against Chinese officials who interfere in the Dalai Lama’s succession; directs the US State Department to begin multinational efforts to protect water resources in the Tibetan plateau; and orders that powers be expanded for the government’s special coordinator for Tibetan issues, a role that has remained vacant since the Trump administration took power.
Though introduced and voted upon as a stand-alone piece of legislation, the bill, which passed 392 to 22, serves as an amendment to the Tibet Policy Act of 2002, which codified Washington’s official position of support for the Tibetan people.