On Wednesday, former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of a Congressional delegation arrived at the Dalai Lama Temple to meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader. Disciples of the Dalai Lama were also seen at the temple complex this morning.
The bipartisan US delegation, led by Republican Chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul, was welcomed by officials from the Central Tibetan Administration at Kangra Airport in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday.
Ahead of the meeting with the Dalai Lama, Dolma Tsering Teykhang, the Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, emphasized that the visit of the US lawmakers signifies “Tibet is not alone.” She stated, “They are here to experience a different way of culture that Tibetans have…we are going to have the official get-together in the meeting…It sends (the message) that Tibet is not alone. United States is with Tibet and human rights still matter. This is a message not only for Tibet but anybody who is aspiring for human rights and for freedom…” Tsering Teykhang further remarked, “All those who are suffering under the intimidation of China and the expansionist mentality of Xi Jinping, I think this is a very big message for them…”
She criticized China’s authoritarian approach, noting that Beijing is “annoyed” with those who support Tibet. “China is annoyed with anyone who supports Tibet. We are here not to annoy or humiliate China…representatives and senators are here to support just the cause. So, when there is truth, you have a supporter and if there is any truth or when they rectify the wrong politics they are practicing in Tibet, they will also get a lot of support…” she said.
Earlier this week, the US Congress passed a bill encouraging Beijing to re-engage with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders to peacefully resolve their dispute over Tibet’s status and governance. The US House of Representatives approved the ‘Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act’, also known as the ‘Resolve Tibet Act’, which now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature to become law, as reported by Radio Free Asia.
The legislation rejects Beijing’s claim that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times and calls on China to “cease its propagation of disinformation about the history of Tibet, the Tibetan people, and Tibetan institutions, including that of the Dalai Lama.” It also urges China to resume talks with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders regarding Tibet’s governance. No formal discussions have occurred since 2010.
Upon her arrival in Dharamshala, Pelosi expressed her excitement, saying, “It’s very exciting to be here.” Notably, Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022 had previously strained US-China relations. McCaul confirmed President Joe Biden’s intention to sign the ‘Resolve Tibet Act’, emphasizing the bill’s importance and expressing enthusiasm about the upcoming meeting with the Dalai Lama.
Meanwhile, China voiced its concerns over the US delegation’s visit to Dharamshala. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, during a regular press conference, urged the US to recognize the “anti-China separatist nature of the Dalai Group” and to “stop sending the wrong signal to the world.” Jian stated, “It’s known by all that the 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion.” The spokesperson continued, “We are gravely concerned over the relevant reports and urge the US side to fully recognize the anti-China separatist nature of the Dalai group, honour the commitments the US has made to China on issues related to Xizang, have no contact with the Dalai group in any form, and stop sending the wrong signal to the world.” Notably, China refers to Tibet as Xizang.
During their visit on Tuesday, the US delegation also toured the Tibetan Parliament in exile and the Tibet Museum Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Gangchen Kyisjong in Dharamshala.
