News Excerpt:
The United States Congress passed the Promoting a Resolution to Tibet-China Dispute Act, better known as the Resolve Tibet Act.
More About News:
- The Resolve Tibet Act is the third notable piece of legislation that the US has taken regarding Tibet. It follows two notable previous legislations.
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- The Tibetan Policy Act or TPA (2002),
- The Tibetan Policy & Support Act or the TPSA (2020).
Key Provisions of the Act:
- Countering Chinese Disinformation: The Act allocates funds to combat Chinese disinformation about Tibet, including its history, people, and institutions like the Dalai Lama.
- Challenging China's Historical Claims: It disputes China's assertion that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times.
- Encouraging Dialogue: The Act urges China to engage in direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama or his representatives, as well as the elected leaders of the Tibetan community, without preconditions, to resolve differences.
- Emphasizing Self-Determination and Human Rights: It highlights the Tibetan people's right to self-determination and human rights, referencing China's obligations under international covenants on civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.
- Recognizing Tibetan Identity: The Act seeks to address the distinct historical, cultural, religious, and linguistic identity of the Tibetan people.
- Defining Tibetan Autonomous Region: It amends the TPA to define the exact geographical areas that are part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
Different from previous legislation
- The Resolve Tibet Act is a bold successor to the two acts which preceded it.
- The TPA, the first of its kind explicitly concerning Tibet, took a cautious stance in defining American policy on Tibet.
- While it flagged the ill-treatment of Tibetans, unlike the 2024 act, it recognised China’s claim that Tibet was an integral part of China.
- Tibetan Policy act 2002
- This act encouraged the Chinese government to pursue dialogue with the Dalai Lama as a “constructive partner,” but reiterated his lack of intent in pursuing sovereignty or independence for Tibet, stressing instead on his desire for greater autonomy for Tibetans in China.
- The TPA even clarified that the US government did not maintain any official relations with the Tibetan government-in-exile, led until 2011 by the Dalai Lama himself, and would only meet him in his capacity as a spiritual leader, and Nobel Laureate.
- Tibetan Policy and Support Act 2020
- This act pushed for constructive dialogue between the PRC and the Dalai Lama or his representatives, or democratically elected leaders of Tibet resulting in a “negotiated agreement”, encouraging international support towards the same.
- The Resolve Tibet Act underlines the need for such talks to be pursued without “preconditions” on the terms to seek a settlement that resolves differences.
