Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, April 9: During the confirmation hearing of David Perdue, nominee for US Ambassador to China, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday, Tibet emerged as a focal point in discussions surrounding human rights in China. Perdue faced questions from senators about ongoing rights violations, with particular emphasis on Tibet, East Turkestan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Senator Jeff Merkley, known for his bipartisan work with Senator Marco Rubio on China-related legislation, drew attention to the long-standing abuses in Tibet. He highlighted legislative efforts such as the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act and legislations related to Tibet and Hong Kong. Merkley pressed Perdue for his stance on the Act, emphasising its effectiveness in keeping goods produced with forced labour out of the US market. Perdue voiced strong support, pledging to uphold American values on human rights across all of China, including Tibet.
Perdue’s commitment was welcomed by Merkley, who expressed hope that the incoming ambassador would prioritise human rights over commercial interests in dealings with Beijing. Perdue affirmed that he would act in the interest of the American people and emphasised the importance of working with democratic allies to present a unified front against Chinese disinformation and rights violations.
Senator Jacky Rosen brought Tibet into focus, warning of Beijing’s aggressive policies on the Tibetan plateau. She condemned the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s repression of Tibet’s religious and cultural heritage and highlighted the strategic dangers of China’s weaponization of water resources. “Water is the key to life,” Rosen said, adding that she had introduced language into the FY26 National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) to require a Pentagon analysis of China’s water policies in Tibet as a national security risk.
When asked if he would commit to safeguarding Tibet’s culture, security, and environmental resources from PRC aggression, Perdue responded, “Absolutely, Senator.” He invoked historical Chinese state-led disasters such as the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution to underline the severity of risks posed by large-scale state planning—warning that China’s actions in Tibet today could have similarly dire consequences for both the region and the global environment.
Senator Rosen also raised concerns about Chinese sabotage of undersea communication infrastructure, to which Perdue responded with a warning about China’s cyber capabilities and the urgent need to bolster US military readiness.
Throughout the hearing, Perdue positioned himself as a firm advocate for human rights and democratic values. He pledged to confront the Chinese Communist Party on issues including forced labour, religious suppression, cyber threats, and control over critical global infrastructure.
If confirmed, David Perdue will replace Nicholas Burns as the 14th US Ambassador to China. His nomination comes at a time of increasing tension between Washington and Beijing, with Tibet continuing to stand as a central issue in the broader conversation on human rights, regional stability, and environmental security.
David Perdue (born December 10, 1949, in Macon, Georgia) is an American business executive and politician. He served as a U.S. Senator from Georgia from 2015 to 2021. Before entering politics, Perdue held executive positions, including CEO of Reebok and Dollar General. In December 2024, President-elect Donald Trump nominated him as the United States ambassador to China.
