China denounced US’s report accusing the Chinese government impeding access to Tibet on Tuesday. China sees the report as “full of prejudice” and even warned the US that this intervention can damage US-China relations.
“We urge the US side to… stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs so as not to cause damage to China-US relations and cooperation and exchanges between the two countries”, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a press briefing in Beijing.
The US report details issues with access to Tibet, namely restrictions that prohibits diplomats, journalists and citizens from visiting the region. China was also accused of political and religious repression in the region. The report highlights that at least 150 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in protest of China’s presence.
However, China defends itself by stating that Tibetans enjoy extensive freedoms and argues it brought economic growth to the region. It also justified the restricted access as a result of Tibet’s “special geography” and “climatic conditions”. Now, the Chinese government is welcoming more visitors to travel and do business in the region.
The US State Department report was part of the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act passed by US lawmakers in December. The law requires the United States to deny visas to Chinese officials who deny American citizens, government officials and journalists access to the sensitive Himalayan region.
China strongly rebukes this law. On Tuesday, Geng called the Act as a “gross interference” into China’s internal affairs that sends the “wrong signal” to Tibetan separatists.
Who is Stronger?: Analysis
In the international arena, states need the cooperation of other states to achieve its goals. However, sometimes cooperation and compliance are difficult to achieve. Thus, states usually resort to manipulating and/or altering the conditions of other countries. In line with our group’s report on Foreign Policy Goals and Strategies, this influence is an indicator of the state’s power. As defined by the article, power is the capacity of a state to control the behavior of others. Ergo, the stronger and more widespread one’s influence is, the more power that state has.
In this case, the United States is actually trying to influence China through the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act. Indeed, the U.S has much to gain if through this act as it can send “eyes” to spy on the Chinese government. By appealing to fight for the rights of the Tibetan people, the U.S. has successfully masked its true intentions of monitoring China.
However, China realizes the consequences of this act and tries to rebuke it. To protect its security and privacy, China has tried to justify its actions. However, this is only painting them in a bad light. If it continues to deny access to Tibet, it will only further reinforce the notion that China is discriminating and repressing Tibetans.
Furthermore, the media has sided with the U.S. Trump made headlines when he signed the Act and even gained support from the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT). Matteo Meccaci, ICT president, even commended the U.S., stating that this is a “turning point for all Americans, Tibetans and all who care about equality, justice and human rights”.
“By passing this impactful and innovative law, the US has blazed a path for other countries to follow and let the Chinese government know that it will face real consequences for its discrimination against the Tibetan people,” said Matteo Meccaci, ICT’s president
ICT even highlighted that the Act will pressure China in owning up to their human rights violations in Tibet. For too long, China has been able to use its economic and military power to isolate Tibet without much resistance from the international community. However, this law changes everything.
By demonizing China, the U.S. has found a convenient way to justify its actions. Masquerading its true intentions behind human rights, it has found support within the international community and international groups. With it, it has gained enough legitimacy to continue its actions and gained enough leverage to back China into a corner.
Now that U.S. has rolled the dice, it is China’s turn to play. So, the question now is: Will China succumb to the pressure? Or will it continue to deny everything?
References:
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