Bill that seeks to counter China’s narrative is expected to provoke ‘very strong’ reaction from Beijing.
A new Tibet policy bill passed in the United States last week is set to fuel fresh tensions with China, with one analyst saying it could be counterproductive.
The US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, which would channel funds to boost Washington’s support for Tibet and counter what it calls “disinformation” from China about the region’s history, people and institutions.
The bipartisan bill, among other things, refutes Beijing’s claim that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times and promotes talks between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader.
The bill’s authors argued that the Chinese government was “systematically suppressing” the ability of Tibetans to preserve their religion, culture, language, history, way of life and environment.
“Passing this bill demonstrates America’s resolve that the CCP’s status quo in Tibet is not acceptable,” said Republican representative Michael McCaul of Texas on the House floor, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.
“If the CCP truly does respect ‘sovereignty’ as it claims to do then it will engage in peaceful dialogue with the Tibetans to resolve this conflict, not force the Tibetans to accept a CCP proposal.”
The bill – which passed the Senate last month – is expected to be signed into law by US President Joe Biden.
Dylan Loh, assistant professor of foreign policy at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said the legislation would open up an “extra point of contention” between the two rival countries, which would not be helpful for already strained ties.
“It will not go down well in Beijing. China is very sensitive about Tibet and they will see the latest move by the US as nothing more than an attempt to further smear China,” he said.
Asked about the bill at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Tibet had always been Chinese territory, and that issues surrounding Tibet were “purely China’s internal affairs”.
