A meeting in New Delhi between US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Uzra Zeya and the Dalai Lama provoked an angry response from China on Monday, which stated that “no external forces have the right to interfere” in Tibet’s affairs.
Zeya, the US undersecretary for civilian security, democracy, and human rights, arrived in India on Sunday. According to a Facebook post by the Central Tibetan Administration, Zeya and top US officials met with the Dalai Lama.
Criticism from the Chinese Embassy in India
China has slammed the meeting, accusing it of interfering in domestic affairs.
In a series of tweets, Wang Xiaojian, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Delhi, stated, “Xizang (Tibet) affairs are purely internal affairs of China, and no external forces have the right to interfere.”
Xiaojian questioned the notion of the “US Special Coordinator for Tibet Issues,” calling it a “pure offence and a move of political manipulation to interfere in China’s internal affairs,” adding that “China has always been firmly opposed to this and has never recognised it.”
According to the Chinese spokesperson, “the so-called ‘Tibetan government-in-exile’ is an out-and-out separatist political group and an illegal organisation completely in violation of China’s Constitution and laws.”
Xiaojian also demanded the US to upholds its commitment, saying, “The US should take concrete actions to honour its commitment of acknowledging Xizang as part of China, stop meddling in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of Xizang-related issues, and offer no support to the anti-China separatist activities of the Dalai clique.”
"Pure Offence": China fumes after US special envoy meets Dalai Lama in Delhi, says "stop meddling in internal affairs"
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) July 10, 2023
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The Meeting in Delhi
According to those familiar with the issue, the present situation in Tibet and China’s regional policy were among the topics discussed at the meeting.
The meeting was attended by Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the head of the Tibetan administration in exile; Norzin Dolma, the minister of information and international affairs; Tencho Gyatso, the president of the International Campaign for Tibet; and several other top Tibetan officials.
Another picture reveals the US delegation, including US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu and USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur.
Dalai Lama Comments on Talks with China
Speaking to the media before leaving Dharamshala on Saturday, the Dalai Lama stated that Tibet was a part of China and that the Chinese government had “officially and unofficially” approached him for discussions. “We are not seeking independence. We have decided since many years that we remain a part of the People’s Republic of China,” he added.
The Dalai Lama added that the Chinese side is eager to negotiate with him. “China is changing and has now realised that the Tibetan people are very strong, and they want to have contact with me in order to deal with the Tibetan problem, and I am also ready.”
China has not held formal meetings with Dalai Lama representatives since 2010. Since then, officials have said that discussions were on the Dalai Lama’s “future,” including his wish to return to Tibet, rather than the “future of Tibet.”
China’s Previous Protests
China has regularly voiced concern over high-ranking US officials meeting with the Dalai Lama, whom it regards as a separatist leader. However, the Dalai Lama, a Nobel laureate revered by people of all faiths, has stated that he advocates autonomy for Tibet over independence from China.
Reportedly, China had similarly objected to Zeya’s visit to Dharamshala to see the Dalai Lama in May 2022 and the Biden Administration’s establishment of the “special coordinator on Tibetan issues” post in 2021.
Chinese Diplomat Xiaojian stated, “The 14th Dalai Lama is by no means just a religious figure, but rather a political exile who has long been engaging in anti-China separatist activities and attempting to split Xizang from China.”
Delhi: US Diplomat Donald Lu, US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Uzra Zeya call on his Holiness Dalai Lama in Delhi. Other US diplomats are also present. All are wearing Khata, a traditional ceremonial scarf in Tibetan Buddhism. https://t.co/FfpwPeDLUt pic.twitter.com/DYa7VzNntJ
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 9, 2023
US Supports Tibetan People’s Aspirations
On the one hand, the US has backed Tibetans’ religious freedom, cultural preservation, and autonomy goals. On the other hand, China regards Tibet as an intrinsic part of its territory and has opposed Western governments’ participation in Tibetan matters.
The recent controversial meeting was similar to previous interactions between senior US officials and members of the Tibetan government in exile.
Following a meeting with the Dalai Lama in 2022, Zeya expressed her commitment to working with the international community and “engaging PRC officials on advancing the human rights of the Tibetan people and preserving their unique historical, religious, cultural, and linguistic heritage” in an interview with Tibet TV.
Despite recent efforts to enhance US-China relations, this meeting between US officials and the Dalai Lama has further complicated US diplomacy.