January 22, 2021 TOKYO: The representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Japan, Dr. Arya Tsewang Gyalpo, today met with Mr. Nagao Takashi, member of the House of Representatives and General Secretary of the All Party Japanese Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet at the Parliament building and briefed him in detail on the recent Tibet Policy and Support Act 2020 passed by the US Congress and signed into law by former President Donald Trump.
Representative Arya briefed the lawmaker on 6 key points of TPSA 2020: (1) the United States will not accept interference by the Chinese government in the selection of the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama 14th Dalai Lama and that the Tibetan people has the sole authority in the selection process.(2) The US commends His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s efforts to democratize the Tibetan polity and support his Middle-Way Approach to seek to resolve Tibet issue. (3) The United States’ formal recognition of the Central Tibetan Administration as the legitimate institution reflecting the aspirations of the Tibetan diaspora around the world and the Sikyong as the President of the CTA. (4) Protection of the environment and water resources on the Tibetan plateau, the source of major rivers of South and East Asia, which supply freshwater to an estimated 1.8 billion people. (5) Strengthens diplomatic efforts through the Office of the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues in the State Department and to promote access to Tibet in accordance with the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018 and the establishment of a United States Consulate in Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, (6) Strengthening of funding for Tibetans inside and outside Tibet for the preservation of culture, religion and language and directs for developmental assistance for the sustainability of these settlements.
Mr. Nagao Takashi, the secretary general of the All Party Japanese Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet, expressed deep appreciation for the US government’s adoption of the Tibet Policy and Support Act. He said that the new law is a major achievement and source of great encouragement for the Tibetan people. He said he has closely followed the developments leading to the passing of the act and the members of Japanese parliamentary group for Tibet are aware of it.
Mr. Nagao further added he will brief the chairman of the All Party Japanese Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet, Mr. Shimomura Hakubun on TPSA 2020.
The Japanese translation of the news announcement carrying the gist of the Tibet Policy and Support Act was presented to the Japanese legislator. Secretary Lobsang Choedak accompanied Representative Dr. Arya in the meeting.
-Filed by OOT, Japan