The Resolve Tibet Act, a Timely Impetus for Foreign Policy Review

President Joe Biden Signs Resolve Tibet Act, Strengthens America's Tibet Policy on July 12, 2024 (Photo: Tibet.net)

July 2024 marks an important milestone in defining the United States' policy on the Tibet issue and its resolutions. US President Joe Biden signed the "Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act," and the Act became law on July 12. This legislation delineates and will govern the US policy toward Tibet and the Tibetan struggle for freedom and justice. 

The Act has six sections: 

1. Short title
2. Findings
3. Statement of policy
4. Sense of Congress
5. Modifications to the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002
6. Availability of amounts to counter disinformation about Tibet

The Act is popularly known in its abridged form as the "Resolve Tibet Act." Both its long and abridged forms succinctly convey the purpose and necessity of the legislation. It aims to settle the ongoing dispute between Tibet and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime. This is crucial due to China's ongoing aggressive efforts to distort and erase the true nature of the issue through disinformation.

Historical Truth vs Diplomatic Deadlock

Section 2 of the Act has 12 clauses explaining how negotiations between 2002 and 2010 failed and why they were impossible. This was due to China's insistence on the illogical precondition that the Dalai Lama recognize Tibet as having been a part of China since ancient times. Clause 5 of the section states, "The United States Government has never taken a position that Tibet was a part of China since ancient times."

Tibet has been an independent country with a long cultural, religious, and political history. Since the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1950, China has consistently tried every means to justify its presence in Tibet, including distortion of Tibetan history. Washington reiterated that Tibet has never been a part of China since ancient times. Free and democratic nations around the world should uphold and recognize this historical truth.

This will awaken China from its condescending big bully stupor and arm-twisting maneuver. It will force China to accept the reality that its military occupation of Tibet was brutal, illegal, and against the United Nations Charter.

Recognition, Rights, and Countering Disinformation

Section 3 of the Act, which includes five clauses, states the policy of the US government. It recognizes the Tibetan people as having distinct religious, cultural, linguistic, and historical identities. Moreover, it emphasizes that the Tibet issue must be resolved by international law, including the UN Charter, through peaceful means and dialogue without preconditions.

Clauses in Section 2 further refer to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. These covenants establish the right to self-determination. By virtue of that right, Tibetans can "freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development."

Distorting Tibetan History

Section 4 of the Act rejects the Chinese claim that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times as "historically inaccurate." It also states that US public diplomacy efforts will "counter disinformation about Tibet from the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party." This includes addressing disinformation about the history of Tibet, the Tibetan people, Tibetan institutions, and the Dalai Lama.

This is a clear message from the US government to China to stop distorting Tibetan history and religious culture. Additionally, it calls on China to refrain from interfering in the selection of Tibetan spiritual leaders, including the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama.

Challenging China's Claims

The Act also defines Tibet's geographical area and composition. It has pointed out all the Tibetan regions under the traditional three provinces of U-Tsang, Amdo, and Kham as Tibet. This is a considerable blow to the CCP's policy of limiting Tibet to China's so-called "Tibet Autonomous Region." Furthermore, it also challenges Beijing's efforts to erase the nomenclature "Tibet" and replace it with "Xizang."

Washington's Resolve Tibet Act is about the US policy to resolve the Tibet-China dispute according to International law and the UN Charter through peaceful dialogue. It states that the Chinese occupation of Tibet is illegal, and the Tibet issue is still an unresolved international issue. Significantly, it also states that UN members have an obligation to resolve it. 

Disinformation and Militarization

Elsewhere, the Act refers to the UN resolution on Tibet, which China has neglected. The Act also warns China to stop spreading disinformation about Tibet and Tibetans. China uses such disinformation to justify its illegal occupation of Tibet and interference in Tibetan religious matters.

Beijing's militarization of the Tibetan plateau and the volatile situation that we see at the borders of India, Nepal, and Bhutan are concerning. China's heavy military presence in the Indo-Pacific regions and Southeast China Sea raises further alarms. There is also the constant Chinese threat to Taiwan and the Senkaku Islands. None of this bodes well for peace and stability in Asia and the world.

A Call for Global Action

If the international community seeks a world free of violence, injustice, and repression, it must take action. Allowing a destructive authoritative regime like China to continue its arm-twisting hegemonic maneuvering in neighboring regions is unacceptable. It is high time to tame and control the authoritative regimes posing obstacles to world peace and stability. Free and democratic nations must take this US initiative to revise their national policy toward China. 

"An evil man will burn his own nation to the ground to rule over the ashes." If what Sun Tzu, the legendary Chinese military philosopher, said is true, it's an alarm bell for all of us. India, Japan, and the European Union should take the lead in Europe and Asia to change their respective policies on Tibet and harness the fiery dragon bent on burning itself and the world. 

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Author: Tsewang Gyalpo Arya