In recent weeks the international community has demonstrated support for Tibetans while condemning continued Chinese oppression of religious freedoms in Tibet and the suppression of democratic movements in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
According to Phayul.com, on January 28, the United States House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Tibetan Policy and Support Act which upholds the right of the Tibetan people to select the successor to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, now aged 84, upon his passing without interference from the Chinese communist regime. The legislation also updates and renews financial support for the Tibetan Government-in-exile (CTA).
The Chinese government expressed anger at the move, stating that Tibetan affairs are purely an internal issue. Tibet.net reported that Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, President of the CTA, visited US congressional leaders to thank them for their support.
According to the International Campaign for Tibet*, US President Donald Trump joined other top officials at the annual National Prayer Breakfast on February 6, where prayers for the Panchen Lama were offered. Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, specifically mentioned the Panchen Lama and other Tibetan Buddhists who have been imprisoned or missing for following their faith in her prayer. The Panchen Lama was abducted at the age of six, soon after he was recognised by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama. The Chinese authorities say he is living in China but he has not been seen since his abduction.
On February 7, the Tibetan Review reported that Belgium and The Netherlands also expressed their support for the right of the Tibetan people to select His Holiness’ successor.
The international community is expressing support for Tibet as concern increases over China’s crack down on democratic movements in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Phayul.com reported on February 6 that a group of US lawmakers, including Senator Marco Rubio and Representative James McGovern, have nominated the Hong Kong pro-democracy protestors for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. In a letter to the Nobel Committee the leaders stated that the protestors have “[…] demonstrated civic courage, extraordinary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to a free and democratic Hong Kong that upholds the rule of law and fundamental human rights and freedom.”
The United States government is pushing back against Chinese pressure within the US to legitimise its oppressive tactics.
According to the Tibetan Review, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged individual state governors to resist pressure from Beijing to shun Taiwan – Taiwan is an independent country which China claims as its own territory and is threatening to reclaim by force if necessary. Last year, China threatened to cancel planned investments in Mississippi over the governor’s visit to Taiwan. Last month, a Chinese diplomat sent a letter to state governors warning them not to congratulate Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-Wen on her reelection. And, after pressure from Beijing, a Chicago high school withdrew an invitation to a Taiwanese representative to participate in a panel discussion on climate. Pompeo stated “It’s one thing to pressure the Secretary of State of the United States of America. It seems quite something else to go after a high school principal.” Secretary Pompeo also urged governors to not give in to pressures from Beijing over meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Reports appeared in the global media that on February 19 the US declared Chinese state media operating within the US, including Xinhua, CGTN, China Radio, China Daily and The People’s Daily, as “foreign missions”. The declaration requires the agencies to be treated as foreign government functionaries. They must now gain US government approval to buy or lease property in the US and register all employees with the State Department. The move is in reaction to increased Chinese influence and intelligence operations in the US.
Finally, a US District Court Judge has dismissed a lawsuit by the giant Chinese tech company Huawei which challenged a law banning federal agencies from doing business with the company. According to the Tibet Express, the Trump administration banned the company in 2019 over national security concerns and suspected theft of intellectual property. In dismissing Huawei’s lawsuit, Judge Amos Mazzant stated that doing business with the US Federal Government is a privilege, not a constitutional right.
* ICT is is a non-profit advocacy group working to promote democratic freedoms for Tibetans, ensure their human rights, and protect Tibetan culture and the environment.
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