/https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5f88303ba7a4090770913f50/0x0.jpg?cropX1=0&cropX2=5472&cropY1=0&cropY2=3648&w=1200&resize=1200,800&ssl=1 "China Accuses U.S. Of Trying To ‘Destabilize’ Tibet With Human Rights Envoy")
Topline
China accused the U.S. of meddling in its internal affairs and seeking to “destabilize” Tibet on Thursday, Reuters reports, after the Trump administration appointed a senior human rights official as the U.S.’ coordinator for Tibetan issues—a position that has been vacant since 2017 — in a move that will likely strain an already fragile U.S.-China relationship, which has sunk to new lows this year with the Covid-19 pandemic, ongoing trade wars and disputes over Taiwan.
China has accused the U.S. of trying to destabilize Tibet
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Key Facts
A spokesperson at the Chinese foreign ministry said that Tibetan affairs are China’s “internal affairs” that tolerate no foreign interference, Reuters reports.
The spokesperson said the appointment of a coordinator for Tibetan issues amounts to “political manipulation,” which the country strongly opposes.
The U.S. appointed Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Robert Destro to the coordinator position Wednesday.
Destro will lead U.S. efforts to foster dialogue between China and Tibet, as well as “press for their human rights to be respected.”
Key Background
China still claims Tibet, a region to its west, as its own sovereign territory. While Washington has historically made calls to respect human rights and the Tibetan identity in the region, it still formally recognizes Beijing’s claim.
Further Reading
China angered as U.S. names human rights envoy for Tibet (Reuters)
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