The US President has signed a new law to bolster U.S. support for Tibet and promote dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama to address the region’s status and governance. Known as the Resolve Tibet Act, it was passed by the House of Representatives in February and the Senate in May. China has criticized the Act as destabilizing. In his statement, Biden affirmed his administration’s commitment to advancing human rights for Tibetans and preserving their cultural heritage. He called on China to resume direct, unconditional talks with the Dalai Lama or his representatives to negotiate a settlement on Tibet. The 14th Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since 1959 and is viewed by China as a separatist. Despite this, Biden’s administration continues to recognize the Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan areas as part of China, consistent with longstanding U.S. policy. The new law empowers U.S. officials to actively counter Chinese disinformation about Tibet and advocates for precondition-free negotiations between the Chinese government and Tibetan representatives. It also directs the State Department to coordinate with other governments in multilateral efforts to achieve a negotiated agreement on Tibet. China has condemned the Act and pledged to take measures to defend its sovereignty. Additionally, the U.S. State Department has imposed visa restrictions on several Chinese officials involved in the repression of religious and ethnic communities. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller criticized China’s human rights record, highlighting abuses in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Tibet. He urged China to adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and release unjustly detained individuals.

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