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US Congress Passes Landmark Bill in Support of Tibet

VOA News

   WASHINGTON - The U.S. Congress on Monday passed a bill that is expected
   to upgrade U.S. support for Tibetans in key areas, including
   sanctioning Chinese officials if they try to appoint the next Dalai
   Lama.

   The Tibetan Policy and Support Act (TPSA) was passed by the House and
   Senate as an amendment to the $1.4 trillion government-spending bill
   and the $900 billion coronavirus relief package.

   It will pave the way for the U.S. government to issue economic and visa
   sanctions against any Chinese officials who interfere with the
   succession of the Dalai Lama, and will require China to allow
   Washington to establish a consulate in Lhasa --the capital of the Tibet
   Autonomous Region --before Beijing can open any more consulates in the
   U.S.

   The bill, backed by both Democrats and Republicans, is expected to be
   signed into law by President Donald Trump.

   Lobsang Sangay, president of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA),
   the Tibetan government in exile, called passage of the bill "a
   momentous landmark for the Tibetan people."
   FILE - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, right, listens to
   Lobsang Sangay, president of the Tibetan government-in-exile, during an
   event at the Kirti Monastery in Dharmsala, India, Dec. 7, 2019.

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