This bill takes advantage of the current political and economic climate between the US and China to further influence and limit the control PRC has over Tibet, and specifically to limit China’s interference in the selection process of the 15th Dalai Lama after the current Dalai Lama passes away. Many see this as a global issue and not just a Chinese issue because Tibet considers itself to be an independent state under illegal occupation by PRC. Additionally, the14th Dalai Lama has won the respect of many around the world for his tireless and always peaceful commitment to restore religious and civil freedom to the people of Tibet. Is this bill an opportunistic move by this administration to further antagonize the Chinese? Perhaps for some involved, but this is a bi-partisan bill which further supports the rights and religious freedom of the Tibetan people, something the Tibetan government in exile has been asking of the US for many years.
The advancing age of the current Dalai Lama makes the timing of this bill critical so that the tradition of finding the next Dalai Lama can remain with the people of Tibet and not be overtaken by the PRC (which in the past has installed puppet PRC members and called them spiritual leaders) The approval of this bill is a bold move by the US as previous support of Tibet has fallen short of the proposals outlined in this bill. I support this bill as I see it reflecting and supporting the values that are central to the USA