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Major Tibet Legislation
ICT’s advocacy and leadership were integral to the U.S. Congress passing four landmark, bipartisan laws since 2002.
On this page: Resolve Tibet Act | Tibetan Policy & Support Act | Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act | Tibetan Policy Act
RTA: The Resolve Tibet Act
Background
The Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, H.R.533 and S.138, is a bipartisan bill that refutes China’s false assertion that Tibet has historically been a part of China, supports the Dalai Lama’s “Middle Way Approach,” and pressures the Chinese government to resolve the issue of Tibet through peaceful dialogue with Tibetan leaders.
The bill was introduced by Reps. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., and Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Todd Young, R-Ind. The bill is known as the “Resolve Tibet Act.” The House passed the legislation on Feb. 15, 2024, and it was signed into law by President Biden on July 12, 2024.
Pushing for dialogue
The bill states that it is U.S. policy that the dispute between Tibet and China must be resolved in accordance with international law. The Resolve Tibet Act adds that the US should promote substantive dialogue without preconditions between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives or the democratically elected leaders of the Tibetan community.
Fighting China’s disinformation
The legislation states that Tibetans “are a people with a distinct religious, cultural, linguistic and historical identity.” The bill says U.S. public diplomacy efforts should counter disinformation about Tibet from the Chinese government and Communist Party, including disinformation about the history of Tibet, the Tibetan people, and Tibetan institutions, including that of the Dalai Lama.
TPSA: Tibetan Policy & Support Act
Background
Signed into law in 2020, the Tibetan Policy and Support Act significantly strengthens U.S. policy on Tibet. It protects Tibetans’ religious freedom, supports dialogue and cultural preservation, and establishes that decisions over Tibetan Buddhist reincarnations — including the future Dalai Lama — belong to Tibetan Buddhist religious authorities, not the Chinese government
Protects the Dalai Lama’s Succession
Establishes U.S. policy that Tibetan Buddhist reincarnations are exclusively religious matters for Tibetan Buddhists and provides for sanctions against Chinese officials who interfere in identifying or installing a future Dalai Lama.
Pushes for Sino-Tibet Dialogue
Strengthens the mandate of the U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, including promoting substantive dialogue without preconditions between China and the Dalai Lama, his representatives, or democratically elected Tibetan leaders.
Invests in Tibet’s future
Expands U.S. support for Tibetan communities in Tibet and in exile, including programs advancing cultural and linguistic preservation, education, sustainable development, environmental protection, and humanitarian assistance.
A major upgrade to U.S. policy on Tibet
The legislation also strengthens the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, addresses the issue of water security and environmental destruction in Tibet and provides humanitarian assistance for Tibetans in Tibet.
RATA: The Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act
Background
The Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act took more than four years to get through the legislative process and was signed into law on December 19, 2018. The legislation calls for American diplomats, journalists and ordinary citizens to have equal access to the Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan areas as their Chinese counterparts enjoy in the U.S.
Makes reciprocity law
The law requires the Secretary of State to assess Americans’ level of access to Tibet and to send a report to Congress every year identifying the Chinese officials responsible for restricting access to Tibet for U.S. citizens. The bill then requires the Secretary of State to impose visa restrictions on those officials so that they are not able to enter the U.S.
Pressure China to open Tibet
American diplomats have only had limited access to Tibet and almost no Beijing-based foreign journalists have been able to travel to Tibet to cover the conditions there, including the self-immolations. The objectives of the RATA legislation are to shine a light on China’s repressive policies in Tibet by providing access to diplomats, journalists, and others, and ensure that reciprocity in access is maintained between the U.S. and China.
TPA: The Tibetan Policy Act
Background
The Tibetan Policy Act is a comprehensive and pragmatic expression of Congressional support for the Tibetan people. Its stated purpose is to “support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to safeguard their distinct identity”.
TPA was introduced in May 2001 as S. 852 by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Craig Thomas (R-WY) and as H.R. 1779 by Congressmen Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Mark Kirk (R-IL). They were joined by 123 co-sponsors, almost a quarter of the United States Congress. TPA was signed into law by President Bush on September 30, 2002.
Encourages Negotiations
The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the President and the Secretary of State should initiate steps to encourage the Chinese government to negotiate with the Dalai Lama or his representatives toward a durable agreement that would maintain Tibet’s autonomy. It also directs the President and Secretary to transmit to Congress a status report of steps taken.
Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues
Establishes within theState Department a United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, who is tasked with promoting substantive dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives.
Promotes Development in Tibet
Directs the U.S. executive director of each international financial institution, including the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Trade and Development Agency, to support projects in Tibet which follow the guidelines from the Tibetan government-in-exile.
Defends Tibetans’ human rights, identity, & livelihoods
Calls for the release of Tibetans imprisoned for their political or religious beliefs, access to those prisoners for humanitarian organizations, and an end to religious persecution in Tibet. It also directs the Secretary of State to open a U.S. consulate in Lhasa; provides Tibetan language training for U.S. diplomats posted to China; and supports economic development, cultural preservation, health care, education, and environmental sustainability for Tibetans inside Tibet.