U.S. House of Representatives Pass So-Called “Tibet Resolution”

On April 9, just a few hours before the start of Olympic torch relay in San Francisco, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution that calls for “an end to crackdowns in Tibet by the Chinese government and the release of ‘peaceful’ Tibetan protesters.” Towards this move, Shen Dingli, the Administrative Vice Dean of The School of International Affairs at Fudan University in Shanghai, said to reporters that the House representatives “over-actively” exceeded their duties and meddled in diplomatic affairs which should be executed by the federal government. China welcomes the concerns for its domestic affairs, but the overbearing interferences will absolutely not be tolerated.

The resolution calls for “an end to the Chinese crackdowns”

ABC reported on the 9th of April that a large majority of House of Representatives passed this resolution. It was brought in by Nancy Pelosi who urged China to stop its crackdown in Tibet and release the “non-violent” rioters.

It is said that the resolution was passed with a margin of 413 to 1. The only blackball came from Ron Paul (R) who has recently dropped out the presidential election. It is also said that, coincidentally, the resolution was passed while the Olympic torch was in San Francisco and ready to have its sole relay in North America. This resolution was sponsored by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a few other representatives. It aims at urging Beijing to stop cracking down on Tibetan dissent and start “substantial talks” with the Dalai Lama.

Pelosi pointed out that hopefully through this resolution, the House of Representatives will be able to send Beijing the message that they support the “basic freedom” of the Tibetan people and a peaceful solution for the chaos in Tibet. “It is time for Beijing to reevaluate its frustrated Tibet policy and stop demonizing the Dalai Lama.” She said, “Beijing needs to show the world that they are capable of peaceful talks, instead of violence, as a responsible world power.

The House is meddling in other’s affairs and the “overbearing interference” is not acceptable

“These House of Representatives clearly has involved themselves in something that is not their business.” Shen Dingli said. He also stressed that the US government can discuss this issue with Beijing by executing its diplomatic power, which is a right that the House Representatives do not have. “Too, the protesters who where arrested were not 'non-violent’. These ‘non-violent’ protesters will never surrender to the police.”

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made another point on April 9th saying that “the US needs to set up a Consulate in Tibet because the American diplomats now cannot enter Tibet freely”, Professor Shen said that it is an ordinary request to set up Consulate in a foreign country. However, it is too sensitive to be declared in such a tensional period.

“However, China never fears any sensitivity as long as the US has a real need to set up Consulate in Tibet.” Shen said that an American consulate in that any region would have the purpose of promoting economic and cultural communication with the US. In comparison to Tibet he states, “I’m afraid that the US would not accept any request from China to set up a Consulate near any of its significant military bases.”

“As I said before, we welcome every concern that foreigners show regarding China. But it cannot develop into interference of Chinese domestic policy. China will always oppose any interference by the US from a US 'standard', especially when the ‘standard’ outrages both the Chinese government and the Chinese people.” The 'standard' that the Americans advocate is the same standard by which Americans make mistakes from time to time as well.