By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 4: United States Democratic Party’s Presidential nominee Joe Biden said Thursday that if elected his administration will not “turn a blind eye” like President Trump and instead “stand up for the Tibetan people”.
The former vice President of the US and Obama’s confidant said he will meet the exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, appoint a new Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, and restore access to Tibet for US citizens, including our diplomats and journalists, tasks which the incumbent US President Trump has not accomplished.
“My administration will sanction Chinese officials responsible for human rights abuses in Tibet, and step up support for the Tibetan people, including by expanding Tibetan language services at Radio Free Asia and Voice of America to get information from the outside world into Tibet,” Biden said.
Biden who purported Trump’s China policy as weak further said, “Once again, the silence from President Trump has been deafening, as he focuses instead on his empty trade deal with Beijing and protecting his ‘very good friendship’ with Chinese President Xi Jinping. It’s disgraceful, though not surprising, that Trump is the first American president in three decades who has not met or spoken with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
The Democratic Party Presidential candidate also said, “Trump hasn’t even fulfilled the statutory requirement to appoint a Special Coordinator to lead America’s efforts on this vital issue. It’s no wonder China’s leaders believe they have a free hand to deepen repression in Tibet, just as they have in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.”
Joe Biden who announced Kamala Harris as his running mate is ahead in polls in various states as of today, poised to defeat President Trump come November.
10 Responses
its not enough, china is a monster
The Tibet issue has always received bipartisan support from the US congress – the kind of support we have been receiving so far will not go away regardless of who is in the White House. Some administrations have been more overt in our support while others have been more covert. Although Biden’s promise to support Tibet is a welcome news but I am a little disappointed that it was not important enough to deserve a place in 2020 Democratic Platform (a important document from the party convention). On the other hand, 2020 RNC platform (which reaffirms the 2016 platform) explicitly mentions “cultural genocide” in Tibet. With this, I am pointing out the difference in importance attached to the issue of Tibet by the two parties. US presidents meeting His Holiness is an important symbolic gesture but I believe the real change will come from dismantling the economic muscle power of the Chinese regime. I think Trump administration is more determined to hit China in a spot that will hurt them the most. Of course, the current administration is doing this for America’s own self interest but the side effect is a more humble Communist regime that will not continue to go around bullying the world.
Meet Dalai Lama and then what. Democratic like Nancy and Obama are using His Holiness.
This is indeed interesting and positive news !!!!
If meeting His Holiness for few photo ops and then ushering him out the garbage strewn backdoor is what we Tibetans consider as the hallmark of a good American president, then, obviously, Trump isn’t your man.
I believe you should vote with your conscience.. hopefully that involves doing research about the candidates.. their track records of dones and didnt dos. Trump has done a lot for Tibet; Biden hasn’t done a thing but make promises. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. BTW, China wants Beijing Biden to win. Research it.
Democratic will look like they would support Tibet but behind backdoor they are mostly only interested in doing business with China and paying lip service to human rights. Trump on the outside looks like he does not care about Tibet but is the only one so far to stand up against China. It is very slippery position on both end and not as straightforward as they make it sound like.
Biden is playing Tibet and HHD card to validate his damaged personal of being good and morally superior, another word, he is using HHD and Tibet. He did nothing while he was on position. Biden sold out America to China. He is dictator Xi’s best friend and he will definitely repeat Obama’s policy towards China and he would neglect at his convenient. Trump counters China which directly benefits Tibet.
This is an interesting and positive news..!!! Please support for Joe Biden and let’s see his real attitudes…ACTIONS speak louder than WORDS..!!!!!
Biden administration has concrete plan to reignite the China- Tibet dialogues. All Tibetan Americans are encouraged to study them & decide. President Trump did not meet His Holiness & didn’t allow US representative to UN meet HH in India.
Perhaps Sangay can shave his head and teach him how to make precious pills. How did Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Tibet fare for Tibetan-Americans? Biden, like all else who came before him, when forced to choose between American interests in China versus American interests in Tibet, will choose what his campaign finances make him choose.