China expressed strong opposition on Saturday to a U.S. law signed by President Joe Biden that presses Beijing to resolve a dispute over Tibet's demands for greater autonomy, vowing to "firmly defend" its interests.

Biden signed into law on Friday the Tibet dispute act, which seeks to push Beijing to hold talks with Tibetan leaders, stalled since 2010, to secure a negotiated agreement on the Himalayan region and spur China to address the Tibetan people's aspirations on their historical, cultural, religious and linguistic identity.

The law "grossly interferes in China's domestic affairs, undermines China's interests, and sends a severely wrong signal to the 'Tibet independence' forces," China's foreign ministry said.

Although Washington recognises Tibet as a part of China, the law appears to question that position, analysts say. The U.S. has long supported the rights of the Tibetan people to practice their religion and culture, accusing China of human rights violations in the remote region bordering India.

"The U.S. must not implement the Act," the China's ministry said. "If the U.S. continues down the wrong path, China will take resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests."

Attention has focussed on Tibet-China issues as the Dalai Lama, recuperating from a medical procedure, turned 89 last week. The exiled spiritual leader has said he will clarify questions about his succession around his 90th birthday, while China insists it will choose his successor.

AfriPrime App link:  FREE to download...

https://www.amazon.com/Africircle-AfriPrime/dp/B0D2M3F2JT

Biden signs legislation urging China to mend ties with Tibet

President Biden signed a piece of legislation into law on Friday urging China to mend ties with Tibet and its leaders.

The legislation, named Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, received broad bipartisan support and will encourage China and Tibet to resolve the long-standing dispute over Tibet’s governance.

Biden thanked lawmakers who led the resolution through its passage in the Senate in May and the House in June.

“I share the Congress’s bipartisan commitment to advancing the human rights of Tibetans and supporting efforts to preserve their distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage,” Biden wrote.

The legislation will allow State Department officials to “actively and directly” counter disinformation about Tibet spread by the Chinese government, including rejecting the false claims that Tibet has been part of China since “ancient times,” House lawmakers on the Foreign Affairs Committee said in a June press release.

It will also allow the U.S. to push for the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government to have negotiations over the future of Tibet. No formal communication between Tibetan and Chinese authorities has occurred since 2010, the lawmakers noted.

Biden’s administration will continue to call on China to resume direct dialogue with Tibet, he said.

The president signing the legislation into law does not change the longstanding U.S. policy recognizing Tibet as an autonomous region.

It’s a “policy decision that falls within my authority to recognize foreign states and the territorial bounds of such states,” Biden said.

A congressional delegation met with the Dalai Lama in Tibet, sparking anger from China, just after the legislation passed the House last month.

AfriPrime App link:  FREE to download...

https://www.amazon.com/Africircle-AfriPrime/dp/B0D2M3F2JT