By Choekyi Lhamo
DHARAMSHALA, OCT 3: The US Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday approved a resolution in support of Tibetan autonomy and also emphasized on a number of issues they faced under the Chinese government. The committee unanimously passed the bipartisan resolution titled, “A resolution affirming the significance of the advocacy for genuine autonomy for Tibetans in the People’s Republic of China and the work His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has done to promote global peace, harmony, and understanding,” which has now been moved to the floor of the House to be assessed by the full chamber.
The House Resolution 697 tackles a number of issues confronting the Tibetan people including the Tibetan Policy and Support Act (TPSA), genuine autonomy, climate crisis, Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act (RATA), acknowledging the Tibetan leadership and on closures of Chinese consulates. Representatives Ted Yoho, Michael McCaul, Chris Smith, and Jim McGovern introduced the legislature last year. Rep. Ted Yoho addressed the hearing, “[Dalai Lama] has done much to promote peace and understanding and to further strengthen US-Tibet relationships.” He also mentioned Adrian Zenz’s coverage on the recently published report on the coercive labour program in Tibet.
ICT President Matteo Mecacci commended the move as another sign of increasing Congressional action on Tibet, adding that, “Although the US government has long supported the Tibetan people, there has been a flurry of bipartisan activity in recent years, from the enactment of the RATA in 2018 to the passage of the TPSA in the House earlier this year.” The US government had sanctioned Chinese officials and companies who were responsible for keeping American citizens out of Tibet, and closed the Chinese consulate in Houston in July.
is Tibet was not an autonomous region before??? why America is, not supporting Tibetan autonomy??