China blasts US Tibet-China dispute bill, vows to defend interests

BEIJING: China expressed strong opposition on Saturday to a U.S. law signed by President Joe Biden that presses Beijing to resolve a dispute over Tibet’s demands for greater autonomy, vowing to “firmly defend” its interests.

Biden signed into law on Friday the Tibet dispute act, which seeks to push Beijing to hold talks with Tibetan leaders, stalled since 2010, to secure a negotiated agreement on the Himalayan region and spur China to address the Tibetan people’s aspirations on their historical, cultural, religious and linguistic identity.

The law “grossly interferes in China’s domestic affairs, undermines China’s interests, and sends a severely wrong signal to the ‘Tibet independence’ forces,” China’s foreign ministry said.

Although Washington recognises Tibet as a part of China, the law appears to question that position, analysts say. “The U.S. must not implement the Act,” the China’s ministry said. “If the U.S. continues down the wrong path, China will take resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests.”