House committee advances Resolve Tibet Act! Learn more »
ENDING TIBET’S OCCUPATION
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China has illegally occupied Tibet for over 60 years. It has refused to negotiate with Tibetan leaders since 2010.
But a new bill in 2023 will pressure China to get back to the negotiating table.
China has illegally occupied Tibet for over 60 years. It has refused to negotiate with Tibetan leaders since 2010.
But a new bill in 2023 will pressure China to get back to the negotiating table.
The Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act will:
Make it official US policy that the conflict between Tibet and China is unresolved and Tibet’s legal status remains to be determined under international law
Recognize that Tibetans have a right to self-determination—and that China is violating it
Fault China for failing to meet expectations of engaging in dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives
Reject as “historically false” China’s claim that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times
Empower the Office of the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues to counter Communist Party propaganda about the history of Tibet, the Tibetan people and Tibetan institutions, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Make clear that Tibet includes not only the so-called “Tibet Autonomous Region” of China but also Tibetan areas of Gansu, Sichuan, Qinghai and Yunnan provinces
The Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act will:
Make it official US policy that the conflict between Tibet and China is unresolved and Tibet’s legal status remains to be determined under international law
Recognize that Tibetans have a right to self-determination—and that China is violating it
Fault China for failing to meet expectations of engaging in dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives
Reject as “historically false” China’s claim that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times
Empower the Office of the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues to counter Communist Party propaganda about the history of Tibet, the Tibetan people and Tibetan institutions, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Make clear that Tibet includes not only the so-called “Tibet Autonomous Region” of China but also Tibetan areas of Gansu, Sichuan, Qinghai and Yunnan provinces
By rejecting China’s claims over Tibet and supporting Tibetans’ right to self-determination, the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act will put pressure on China to resume negotiations with Tibetan leaders.
By rejecting China’s claims over Tibet and supporting Tibetans’ right to self-determination, the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act will put pressure on China to resume negotiations with Tibetan leaders.
THE HISTORY
Tibet has a unique history that dates back more than two millennia.
Chinese records from centuries ago refer to Tibet as a strong state that China had to deal with on an equal footing.
Independent scholars agree that Tibet was a fully independent state during this period, which ended when China’s Communist army invaded.
After China forces the Dalai Lama into exile and dissolves the Tibetan government, the US passes a joint Congressional resolution listing Tibet as a country whose national independence has been impinged.
President Clinton says he urged Chinese leader Jiang Zemin to ‘’assume a dialogue with the Dalai Lama in return for the recognition that Tibet is a part of China and in recognition of the unique cultural and religious heritage of that region.”
The Chinese government holds 10 rounds of dialogue with the envoys of the Dalai Lama.
But after the last round in January 2010, China walks away from the process.
The State Department removes language recognizing Tibet as part of China from its annual report on human rights.
Congress passes a funding bill that restricts the State Department from producing maps or statements that portray Tibet as a part of China.
The Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act is introduced in the Senate.
READ MORE ABOUT TIBET’S STATUS
MEDIA CONTACT
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