New US administration assures continued support for Tibet, pledges quick appointment of  Special Coordinator for Tibetan issue

DHARAMSALA, 5  Feb: The new administration in Washington under the US President Joe Biden has assured its continued support for Tibet and called on China to respect the human rights of Tibetans and to preserve Tibet’s ecosystem.

“We urge Chinese authorities to respect the human rights of Tibetans, and the preservation of Tibet’s environment as well as the unique cultural, linguistic, and religious identity of Tibetan traditions,” RFA’s Tibetan Service quoted a State Department spokesperson as saying in its report.

The spokesperson was further quoted as saying in the report that “The United States supports meaningful autonomy for Tibetans.”

Assuring US’ continued support for Tibet, the spokesperson has declared that the US will also consider the use of “all appropriate tools,” with its measures such as visa restrictions and financial sanctions to hold accountable any Chinese officials found responsible for human rights abuses in Tibet.

Additionally, the spokesperson of the executive department of the US federal government responsible for the nation’s foreign policy and international relation has also stated that they will press China to allow US officials, journalists, and tourists visit Tibet.

Hinting that the new administration means business when it comes to dealing with China, the spokesperson has said that “the Department has [already] applied visa restrictions on PRC officials who have restricted access of foreigners to Tibet,” as mandated by the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, signed into law in 2018 by former President Donald Trump.

The State Department has further pledged to quickly appoint a US’ new Special Coordinator for Tibetan issue to succeed former coordinator Robert Destro, who resigned with other officials appointed by the outgoing administration of President Trump.

“The Secretary is committed to working with the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues at the State Department and with the Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom to promote religious freedom for Tibetans in China and around the world,” the spokesperson concluded.

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