By Mayank Chhaya
The Resolve Tibet Act, which among other things says it is US policy that the dispute between Tibet and China remains unresolved in accordance with international law, is now headed for a signature by President Joe Biden.
In a second vote, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill.
There are expectations that the president will sign the act into a law in the next two weeks.
It was previously passed by the House in February and the Senate in May. Because of some changes in the language of the original bill it was returned to the House floor where it was passed again today with 391 votes in favor.
Its significance comes from the fact that apart from saying that it is a US policy that the dispute between Tibet and China remains unresolved in accordance with international law. It calls for a substantive dialogue without conditions between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives or the democratically elected leaders of the Tibetan community.
It also empowers the Special Coordinator for Tibet to actively and directly counter disinformation about Tibet from the Chinese government and Communist Party, including working to ensure that US government statements and documents counter disinformation about Tibet.
A key feature of the act is that it ejects as “inaccurate” China’s claims that Tibet has been part of China since “ancient times.”
Michael McCaul (R-TX), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, said, “the US strongly condemns all oppression and coercion of Tibetans.” McCaul, who was among the original sponsors of the bill, said it will help “put the people of Tibet in charge of their own future.” “Tibetans, like all people, have the right to religious freedom – which includes freedom from CCP surveillance, censorship, and detention. 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. Passing this bipartisan bill demonstrates America’s resolve that the CCP’s status quo in Tibet is not acceptable,” he said.
Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA), the author of the bill, said, “we hope to restart dialogue between Tibet and China.” “Let the overwhelming passage of our strong, bipartisan bill be a clear message to the Tibetan people: America stands with you on the side of human dignity, and we support you in your quest to secure the basic rights to which you are entitled under international law. The People’s Republic of China has systematically denied Tibetans the right to self-determination and continues to deliberately erase Tibetan religion, culture, and language. The ongoing oppression of the Tibetan people is a grave tragedy, and our bill provides further tools that empower both America and the international community to stand up for justice and peace,” he said.
Senator Jeff Merkley, D-OR, said: “The people of Tibet deserve to be in charge of their own future, and, today, Congress has voted to stand with Tibetans in their struggle for freedom and self-determination. The Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act helps counter misinformation from the Chinese government about Tibet and pushes for negotiations between the People’s Republic of China and Tibet to end this longstanding dispute. I look forward to President Biden swiftly signing this bill into law—the people of Tibet cannot wait any longer.”
Senator Todd Young, R-IN, said: “Our bipartisan bill will refresh U.S. policy towards Tibet and push for negotiations that advance freedom for the Tibetan people and a peaceful resolution to the CCP’s conflict with the Dalai Lama. Congressional passage of this legislation further demonstrates America’s resolve that the CCP’s status quo – both in Tibet and elsewhere – is not acceptable. I look forward to this important effort becoming law and working with my colleagues and the Administration to ensure swift and effective implementation.”
