US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday said that the United States has imposed additional visa restrictions on the Chinese officials who are involved in restricting foreign access to Tibetan areas.
In a post on X, Rubio alleged that the Chinese officials were engaged in “systematic efforts” to limit access to Tibet and demanded that Beijing restore uninterrupted access for US diplomats and others to the region.
“Today I am imposing visa restrictions against Chinese officials who have engaged in systematic efforts to restrict access to Tibetan areas. China must restore reciprocity for our diplomats and others to access Tibetan areas in the same way that China’s diplomats enjoy broad access in the United States,” he wrote on X.
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‘Lack Of Reciprocity Will Not Be Tolerated’
In a statement from his office, the US Secretary of State also criticised the Chinese Community Party, underlining that the CCP has prevented US diplomats, journalists, and other international observers from entering into the Tibetan region, while Chinese diplomats enjoy broad access in the US, Reuters reported.
“For far too long, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has refused to afford U.S. diplomats, journalists, and other international observers access to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and other Tibetan areas of China, while China’s diplomats and journalists enjoy broad access in the United States,” Rubio said in a statement.
The statement, however, did not name any Chinese officials and did not mention details on the US measures.
“US diplomats are also unable to provide services to U.S. citizens traveling in Tibet. This lack of reciprocity is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said, demanding “unrestricted access” to Tibet for diplomats and others.
China seized control of Tibet in 1950 in what it calls a “peaceful liberation”. However, the international human rights groups and exiles have condemned China’s rule in Tibetan areas, calling it “opressive”.
While the US recognises Tibet as a part of China, it has routinely pressed Chinese authorities to respect religious freedom for all people and to allow Tibetans to preserve, practice, teach, and develop their religious traditions and language without interference from the government.
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