Tibetan leader in exile welcomes US bill that reaffirms rights
China seized control of Tibet in 1950 and claims its leaders and not Tibetans have the right to choose the Dalai Lama’s successor.
The political head of Tibetans in exile on Tuesday welcomed legislation passed by the US Congress that reaffirms the rights of Tibetans to choose a successor to their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, a move that infuriated China.
China regards the exiled Dalai Lama as a dangerous “splittist”, or separatist, and the latest show of support from the US Congress could further damage ties between the two countries.
Lobsang Sangay, president of the Tibetan Central Administration (CTA), which is known as the Tibetan government-in-exile, told the Reuters news agency that Monday’s passing by the House of Representatives and the Senate in the United States of the Tibet Policy and Support Act (TPSA) was historic.
“By passing the TPSA, Congress has sent its message loud and clear that Tibet remains a priority for the United States and that it will continue its steadfast support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the CTA,” Sangay said.
“This is a victory for the Tibetan freedom struggle.”
The Chinese foreign ministry accused the US of interfering in its domestic affairs.
“We urge the US side to stop meddling in China’s internal affairs and refrain from signing into law these negative clauses and acts, lest it further harms our further cooperation and bilateral relations,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular briefing on Tuesday.
China seized control of Tibet in 1950 and claims its leaders have the right to choose the Dalai Lama’s successor.
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