China has announced visa restrictions on some US officials who have “behaved badly” on Tibet-related issues, its foreign ministry said on Monday (April 14).
The announcement came at a regular press briefing after Washington imposed additional visa restrictions on Chinese officials involved in policies governing foreign access to Tibetan areas two weeks ago.
The United States accused the Chinese Communist Party of denying U.S. diplomats, journalists and other international observers access to Tibet and other Tibetan areas in China, and called for “unrestricted access” to the areas for U.S. diplomats and others.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that issues related to Tibet are China’s “internal affairs” and that “the U.S.’s abuse of visa restrictions on Chinese officials” regarding Tibet seriously violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations.
Foreign tourists are allowed to visit Tibet’s far western region if they travel in groups and obtain a permit in advance. Diplomats and foreign journalists must obtain approval from local authorities in Tibet to go there.
“Tibet is open. China welcomes friendly people from other countries to come to Tibet, visit and do business,” Lin told reporters.
“But China opposes any country or individual interfering in Tibetan affairs under the guise of so-called human rights, religion and culture,” he added.
China took control of Tibet in 1950 in what it describes as a “peaceful liberation” from feudal slavery.
However, international human rights groups and exiles have consistently condemned what they call China’s oppressive rule in Tibetan areas.
