United States President Donald Trump on Sunday signed the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020 that will allow Washington to establish a consulate in Tibet. The consulate will oversee the appointment of next Dalai Lama and will ensure that the process goes smoothly without the interference from China.
The Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020 was signed as a part of the massive USD 2.3 trillion COVID-19 packages. This fund will be injected in the federal government to provide the long-delayed coronavirus relief. The act just not allows but modifies many pre-existing programmes related to it in its previous versions.
It authorises assistance to non-governmental organisations in support of Tibetan communities in Tibet; places restrictions on new Chinese consulates in the United States until a US consulate has been established in Lhasa, Tibet.
The law also authorises pursuing international coalitions to ensure that the next Dalai Lama is appointed solely by the Tibetan Buddhist community. The office of US Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues is directed to expand its functions and duties as well.
Furthermore, stomping down the Chinese influence, the act also directs the Secretary of State not to allow Chinese authorities to establish a Chinese consulate in the US until Beijing allows the United States to establish its consulate in Lhasa.
The Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020 approves USD 1 million per annum for the Special US Coordinator on Tibet, USD 675,000 towards scholarship provisions, USD 575,000 for scholar exchange initiatives, USD8 million for the Tibetan Autonomous Regio and Communities in China, USD 6 million for Tibetans living in India, USD3 million for Tibetan governance.
