On 15 February 2024, the US House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Resolve Tibet Bill, officially titled Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act (HR 533). The House’s approval of the bill signifies a significant achievement for Tibetans, demonstrating strong bipartisan support for Tibet and the Tibetan cause. The bill reaffirms the US policy of supporting direct dialogue between the People’s Republic of China and representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama or with democratically elected Tibetan leaders, without any preconditions, to resolve the Tibet-China conflict.
In a statement following the passage of the bill in the House, Sikyong Penpa Tsering said, “On behalf of Tibetans in occupied Tibet and in exile, I extend gratitude to Representative Jim McGovern and Representative Michael McCaul for introducing the bill along with all the members for supporting this bill in the House. This achievement moves us closer to making the bill into law. We are now positively looking forward to the bill’s approval by the Senate.”
Sikyong added, “This success reflects the collaborative advocacy efforts of the CTA, the International Campaign for Tibet, Tibetan associations and NGOs, Tibet Support Groups and individuals.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sikyong posted, “The enactment of this bill will strengthen and reinforce the Middle Way Approach policy and the Central Tibetan Administration’s commitment to dialogue to resolve the Tibet-China conflict in the best interest of both the Tibetan and Chinese peoples.
After 65 years of China’s brutal occupation of Tibet, the passage of the #ResolveTibet Act with an overwhelming majority, affirming Tibet’s rightful historical status, serves as a poignant reminder that the pursuit of justice & truth may be long, but it is not without hope.
Gratitude to the US House for championing the #ResolveTibet Act, which enshrines in US policy the imperative to counter China’s disinformation on Tibet, dismissing as inaccurate China’s claim that Tibet has been part of China since antiquity. The legislation exerts pressure on the Chinese government to reengage in dialogue with HH Dalai Lama’s envoys or the democratically elected leaders of the Tibetans. Thanks to the bipartisan leadership of Congressman McGovern & Chairman McCaul, all the Representatives & to the collective effort of all involved.”
