Washington — The United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs, also known as the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously approved the Tibet bill, H.R. 533 "Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act", at a markup hearing on November 29, 2023. If it becomes law, it will strengthen US efforts to push China to negotiate with envoys of the His Holiness the Dalai Lama to resolve the longstanding Tibet-China dispute.
Presenting the Resolve Tibet Act at the House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing, Chairman Michael McCaul said, “Tibetan people repressed by Chinese Communist party for so many years. The world's no stranger to the CCP’s aggression and Chinese Communist troops annex of Tibet in 1950s, and result, the Dalai Lama and tens of thousands of Tibetans have to flee to India.”
He added by saying, “Last week, the CCP released a “white paper” on its policies in Tibet, in which the party doubles down repression and crackdown on the religious and economic freedom of Tibetan people. This white paper demonstrates the need for this bill, "Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act", which helps two major ways: it pushes back against CCP’s propaganda about the history of Tibet, USA has never accepted the “Tibet was part of China since ancient times” as a CCP falsely claims, this legislation clarifies USA policy, highlights the unique language religion and culture of the Tibetan people and direct USA diplomacy to push back CCP’s propaganda. Additionally, it ensures Tibetans to have a say in their own future, not the CCP, this bill stresses the need for a dialogue between the CCP and the democratically elected leaders of Tibet.”
Gregory Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said during introducing the bill, " The bill aims to reinforce USA support for the Tibetan people and calls for a meaningful dialogue between the PRC and Tibetan representatives to reach a negotiated solution of the question of Tibet, the bill also amends the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 by strengthening US public diplomacy efforts countering PRC's disinformation about the Tibet, this is an important and very timely measure and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure.”
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan government in exile, welcomes the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s (HFAC) approval of the Tibet bill, H.R. 533 Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering visited Washington, DC from October 16 to 20 this year in an effort to move forward the Resolve Tibet Act and he expressed high hopes for the passage of the Tibet bill in the 118th US Congress. Sikyong says, “The PRC’s claim over Tibet as a part of China is fictitious as it lacks historical truth. We Tibetans have suffered enormously under the PRC government over many decades, yet we have always sought to settle our differences through nonviolent and peaceful dialogue.”
Sikyong further asserts, “This bill will allow the United States to address its consistent calls for dialogue with more force and urgency while giving voice to Tibetans in their own country. This will not only help the cause of Tibetans, but also champion democracy, dialogue, and the cause of peace around the globe. Therefore, we are confident that this bill will advance through both houses of Congress and onto the President’s desk.”
“We thank HFAC Chair Michael McCaul, ranking member Gregory Meeks, and all the members of the committee for approving the Tibet bill, which builds on the incredible bipartisan support that the United States has always shown for our just cause.”
