\u201cTibet is a vital interest of the United States in its ties with China and the Indo-Pacific region, so the administration must do everything it can to stand up for the Tibetan people.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n At a press conference today in Beijing, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian claimed that \u201cTibetan affairs are purely China\u2019s internal affairs that allow no foreign interference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChina firmly opposes any form of contact between foreign officials and the Dalai Lama,\u201d the spokesperson added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the hypocrisy of China complaining about foreign interference while meddling in US and Indian affairs, the spokesperson\u2019s comments ignore the fact that Tibet is an important interest of the American people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Americans strongly support the Tibetan cause. For decades, the US Congress has shown consistent, bipartisan support for Tibet, including through last year\u2019s passage of the Tibetan and Policy Support Act, as well as the passage of the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act in 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Americans and Tibetans also align on issues of human rights, democracy, religious freedom and more\u2014all of which the Chinese government opposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, the US has not only a significant Tibetan American exile community but also a large number of non-Tibetan followers of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Dalai Lama consistently rates as one of Americans\u2019 most admired people in the world, according to polls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the State Department, Blinken met with Dongchung, the Dalai Lama\u2019s representative, in New Delhi on 28 July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A US official who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity said: \u201cThe Dalai Lama obviously is a globally revered spiritual leader and so the gesture was gratefully received and appreciated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Media reports indicate that Dongchung presented Blinken with a ceremonial scarf from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Given the Dalai Lama\u2019s public admiration for the United States as a champion of the fundamental values of democracy and freedom, as well as the bearer of responsibility for leading on those issues, it\u2019s possible that he also had a personal message for Blinken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blinken also included a Tibetan Buddhist teacher in a separate roundtable with civil society leaders on July 28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the select group of participants was Tibet House Director Geshe Dorji Damdul, a well-known Buddhist scholar. Tibet House is a cultural center in New Delhi established by the Dalai Lama that has led programs promoting the revival of Buddhism in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Indian people and the American people believe in human dignity, in equality of opportunity, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, including freedom of religion and belief,\u201d Blinken said at the roundtable. \u201cThese are fundamental tenets of democracies like ours, and our purpose is to give real meaning to these words and constantly renew our commitment to these ideals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blinken\u2019s meetings with Dongchung and Geshe Dorji Damdul were only the latest signs of the State Department\u2019s commitment to Tibet under his leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier this month, Blinken joined other world leaders in wishing the Dalai Lama a happy birthday as he turned 86.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have deep respect and appreciation for His Holiness\u2019 grace, wisdom, and humility, as well as his dedication to greater global equality and the equal rights of all people, including his fellow Tibetans,\u201d Blinken said. \u201cI wish His Holiness the very best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n On 12 February, Blinken became the first secretary of state to speak at the State Department\u2019s annual reception for Tibetan New Year, which the International Campaign for Tibet helped organize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTibet\u2019s cultural legacy has thrived for more than 2,000 years, and the Biden administration is committed to preserving, protecting and honoring this linguistic, religious and cultural heritage,\u201d Blinken said at the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChinese response<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Meeting with representative<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ngodup-Dongchung-592x890.jpg\")
Meeting with Tibetan Buddhist teacher<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/Blinken-India-1-890x467.jpg\")
Blinken support for Tibet<\/h4>\n\n\n\n