Dharamshala: The US State department and Taiwan Foreign Ministry have congratulated CTA President-elect Penpa Tsering who was recently elected as the political head or Sikyong of the Tibetan people.
State Department Spokesperson’s congratulatory message posted on Twitter a day after the CTA Election Commission announced the results, said: “The United States congratulates Penpa Tsering on his election as the Central Tibetan Administration’s (CTA) next Sikyong. We look forward to working with him and the CTA to support the global Tibetan diaspora.”
With the enactment of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act 2020 in December last year, the United States government became the first government try to formally acknowledge 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.
In another remarkable development, Taiwan’s foreign ministry also congratulated President-elect Penpa Tsering.
The island’s foreign minister, Mr Joseph Wu, in a letter dated 17 May offered his heartfelt congratulations on “your success in the recent Sikyong election. The result once again has shown the world the Tibetans unwavering commitment to building a free and democratic Tibet.”
Commending the compassion and resilience of the Tibetan people to strive for self-determination, he offered Taiwan and Tibet as “reliable partners who can work together to safeguard shared values of democracy, freedom and human rights.”
Reaffirming the enduring friendship shared by the people of Taiwan and Tibet, Minister Wu said “our friendship and partnership is built on mutual respect and equality. Under your leadership, I look forward to working with you and your administration to advance the close and friendly ties between Tibet and Taiwan.”