Press Release
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Welcomes the Introduction of Tibet Bill in the US Senate Declaring the Tibet–China Conflict as Unresolved
The CTA welcomes the introduction of the bipartisan Tibet bill called “Promoting a Resolution to Tibet–China Conflict” in the US Senate on 20 December 2022. Senator Jeff Merkley, Co–chair of the Congressional Executive Commission on China; Senator Todd Young, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and Senator Patrick Leahy, a long–time supporter of Tibet and a dear friend of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, have introduced the bill.
The bill will make it a policy of the United States that the Tibetan People are a people entitled to the right to self–determination under the international law and that their ability to exercise this right is precluded by the current People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) policies; and that the conflict between Tibet and the PRC is unresolved, and that the legal status of Tibet remains to be determined in accordance with international law. The legislation makes it clear that the only path ahead is to embrace His Holiness‘ Middle Way approach, which is based on negotiation in good faith and without pre–conditions, to establish genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the framework of the constitution of the People’s Republic of China.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration, welcoming the bill’s introduction in the Senate says:
“We Tibetans have always felt immense gratitude to the United States for its leadership in advancing a peaceful resolution to the Sino–Tibetan conflict emanating from China’s illegal occupation of Tibet and continued implementation of its repressive policies against the Tibetans inside Tibet. With this bill, the US not only raises its commitment to promoting the Tibet cause to an even greater level, but it also serves as a beacon of hope for those striving for peace, democracy and freedom through dialogue and negotiation. The CTA remains firmly committed to the Middle Way Approach of seeking genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people as a way forward to resolve the long–standing Sino–Tibetan conflict. Therefore, I urge the members of US Congress to support and endorse the successful passage of the bill through both Houses of Congress and from the President’s desk. I sincerely thank Senator Leahy, Senator Merkley and Senator Young for introducing the bill, which builds on the incredible bipartisan support the United States has always shown for our just cause“.
Representative Namgyal Choedup of the Office of Tibet, Washington DC looks forward to the bill’s passage through both the Houses of Congress and says:
“China’s rule in Tibet clearly lacks historical legitimacy, popular opinion and diplomatic support. We have suffered enormous abuse from the PRC government over many decades, yet we have always sought to settle our differences through peaceful dialogue. This bill would allow the United States to back its consistent calls for dialogue with more force and urgency while giving a renewed sense of hope to Tibetan people inside Tibet who continue to suffer under the Chinese rule”.
Department of Information & International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration
Dharamsala
December 20, 2022
