Pelosi, McGovern promise bill to push Tibet-China conflict resolution

“We’re working on a bill that we’ll be introducing soon to help the US government counter Chinese disinformation on Tibet and assure that US policy supports the basis for the Dalai Lama’s quest for genuine autonomy” for Tibetans, McGovern, co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, said at a hearing June 23, 2022 on “Tibet: Barriers to Settling an Unresolved Conflict.” International Campaign for Tibet Board Member Ellen Bork testified at the hearing, and ICT submitted a written statement for the record.

Pelosi, D-Calif., said one day earlier that McGovern “plans to introduce the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act. This new edition, bold, bipartisan legislation, would state clearly the history of Tibet and encourage a peaceful resolution to the ultimate status of Tibet.”

Pelosi was speaking at the inaugural session of the 8th World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet, which took place in Washington, DC this week and brought together elected leaders from around the globe, Tibetan exile officials and pro-Tibet activists, including International Campaign for Tibet Chairman Richard Gere. The Dalai Lama addressed the convention via video message.

The new legislation will raise the pressure on the Chinese government, which has illegally occupied Tibet for over 60 years, turning it into the least-free country on Earth alongside South Sudan and Syria, according to the latest rankings from watchdog group Freedom House.

Chinese leaders have refused to negotiate with the Dalai Lama’s envoys on a settlement on Tibet’s status since 2010.

(With text from International Campaign for Tibet website)