Dharamshala: The Central Tibetan Administration applauds the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s (SFRC) approval of the Resolve Tibet bill, S. 138 “Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act”. The bipartisan, bicameral Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act received approval during the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s session on 16 April 2024. 

The bill also known as the Resolve Tibet 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. The legislation also aims to counter disinformation propagated by the Chinese government regarding Tibet included fabricated narratives about Tibet’s history, culture, people, and institutions including that of the Dalai Lama. 

The bill approved by the SFRC is a revised iteration of the legislation initially presented by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), and also by Representatives Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas) in the House, where it secured passage. Following its approval by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the bill is now slated to proceed to the Senate floor.

During the bill introduction, Senator Merkley stated, “The People’s Republic of China continues to ignore the basic rights of the Tibetan people, and the status quo is not tenable. The Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act sends a straightforward message to the Chinese government: stop spreading disinformation about Tibet and its history and enter sincere negotiations over Tibet’s status. We must get this bipartisan bill over the finish line because the people of Tibet deserve a say in how they are governed.”

Senator Young urged, “The Chinese Communist Party’s aggression towards Tibet is self-serving, with negotiations and even the very definition of Tibet on the CCP’s terms. We must refresh U.S. policy towards Tibet, and push for negotiations that advance freedoms for the Tibetan people and peaceful resolution to the CCP’s conflict with the Dalai Lama. I am pleased by today’s vote, and I urge the full Senate to pass this bipartisan legislation and demonstrate America’s resolve that the CCP’s status quo – both in Tibet and elsewhere – is not acceptable.

In his official X (formerly called Twitter) account, Sikyong Penpa Tsering posted, “Grateful to witness the Resolve Tibet Act pass the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This marks a significant first step towards countering China’s false narrative on Tibet’s history. I thank SFRC Chairman Senator Cardin and all the members for their unwavering support.”

Dr. Namgyal Choedup, Representative of Office of Tibet, North America, said: “Tibetans hold the US Congress in high regard and are always grateful for the support of the American people. With today’s vote, the United States is once again showing that it is the leader on the international stage when it comes to advancing the just cause of the Tibetans. We thank the members of the committee for moving the Resolve Tibet Act to the Senate floor, and we call on the Senate to pass this bill without delay.”

Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration has embarked on his official endeavours in Washington DC since Monday, 15 April 2024 as part of his engagement in North America. He has been actively involved in meetings with legislators and government officials to champion the passage of the Resolve Tibet Bill.