Radio Free Asia (RFA) announced on February 3, that the U.S. State Department said President Joe Biden's Administration will continue to promote policies supporting human rights for Tibetans living under Chinese rule and work with allies to press Beijing to engage in dialogue with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. It said “We urge Chinese authorities to respect the human rights of Tibetans, and the preservation of Tibet’s environment as well as the unique cultural, linguistic, and religious identity of Tibetan traditions.” The US State Department spokesman said “The United States supports meaningful autonomy for Tibetans.” The U.S. will also consider the use of “all appropriate tools,” including visa restrictions and financial sanctions to hold accountable any Chinese officials found responsible for human rights abuses in Tibet and will also press for access to Tibetan areas of China for travel by U.S. officials, journalists, and tourists. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also pledged to quickly appoint a new State Department Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues to replace former coordinator Robert Destro, who resigned with other officials appointed by Trump.
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