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US imposes visa restrictions on Chinese officials under Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act
Last Updated on July 8, 2020 by Deepak
Mcleodganj: In a biting criticism of China’s continued restrictions over access to Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and other Tibetan areas, US State Department announcing visa restrictions on PRC government and Chinese Communist Party officials under the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said, “Tibetan areas is increasingly important to regional stability, given the PRC’s human rights abuses there, as well as Beijing’s failure to prevent environmental degradation near the headwaters of Asia’s major rivers. ” Pompeo said under the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, PRC government and CCP officials determined to be “substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners to Tibetan areas” will be issued visa sanctions. Announcement comes just a day after Tibetans and supporters worldwide marked the 85th birthday of The Dalai Lama. “The United States will continue to work to advance the sustainable economic development, environmental conservation, and humanitarian conditions of Tibetan communities within the People’s Republic of China and abroad,” Pompeo said. He further said that the US remains committed to supporting meaningful autonomy for Tibetans, respect for their fundamental and unalienable human rights, and the preservation of their unique religious, cultural, and linguistic identity.
Today I announced visa restrictions on PRC officials involved in restricting foreigners’ access to Tibet. We will continue to seek reciprocity in our relationship.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) July 7, 2020