These coercive measures aim to eradicate the unique linguistic, cultural and religious traditions of Tibet, in particular by forcing the younger generation to attend re-education institutions. Blinken made his announcement before US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo arrived in China for a working visit.
China’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the matter and, in a press release, declined to name the officials affected by the visa restrictions. Interestingly, the United States recently lifted restrictions on 27 Chinese companies and organizations, which seemed like an atoning gesture before Raimondo’s visit to China, but the current move indicates that Washington will not make peace at any cost.
Earlier, in February, the UN Panel of Experts highlighted that the Chinese government’s policy affects about one million Tibetan children, and its goal is the cultural, religious and linguistic assimilation of the local minority through the boarding school system. China has strongly denied these allegations.
Tibetan advocacy groups and activists welcomed Blinken’s announcement. Tenshu Jyatso, head of the Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet, applauded the decision and believes it sends a clear message to Beijing as well.
Cover photo: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Second International Conference on Libya on June 23, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
