China Criticizes US Secretary Of State Antony Blinken For Congratulating Birthday To Dalai Lama

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian in a press conference in Beijing, on Friday (21/6). (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian criticized the United States (US) Foreign Minister Antony Blinken for congratulating the 89th birthday to the Dalai Lama. "We urge the US to fully understand the urgency and sensitivity of issues related to Xizang, fully respect China's core interests, recognize the nature of anti-China and separatism by the Dalai Lama group and respect the commitments the US has made to China on issues related to Xizang," Lin Jian told a news conference in Beijing, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, July 9. On the US Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, an official statement reads "The United States congratulates His Majesty the Dalai Lama on its 89th birthday. Through its statement containing the anti-violence and mutual acceptance movement and its commitment to advancing human rights to everyone, His Majesty is an inspiration to the Tibetan community and many people around the world". The statement also called "The United States reaffirms its commitment to supporting efforts to preserve the legacy of Tibetanian language, culture and religion, including the ability to freely choose and respect religious leaders without being interfered with by other parties." The 14th Dalai Lama was only 23 years old when he fled the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, due to an insurgency defeat sparked by the anti-Chinese and anti-Communist revolutionist movements on March 10, 1959. The Tibetan spiritual leader namedten Gyatso then fled to badminton, India, and formed a counter Tibet government to date. He is also the only Dalai Lama to visit the Western world. "As many people know, the 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure, but a political exile involved in anti-Chinese separatist activities under the guise of religion," added Lin Jian. In 1989, the 14th Dalai Lama also received the Nobel Peace Prize. "We ask the US to stop supporting the strength of 'Xizang independence' and anti-Chinese and separatist activities in any way," said Lin Jian. According to Lin Jian, the Chinese government's position on issues related to Xizang is consistent and clear. "Xizang's business is China's internal affairs that should not be intervened by any external force," said Lin Jian. Lin Jian said that over the years Xizang had enjoyed economic growth, harmony and social stability, as well as the preservation of a good cultural heritage. "The rights and freedoms of all ethnic groups in Xizang, including freedom of religion and freedom of use and development of their own speech and writing, are fully protected. This is a fact and seen by many people in the international community," said Lin Jian. The Xijang Autonomous Region refers to the geographic area often referred to as "Tibet" by the international community. "Tibet" itself is rooted in the name "Tubo", which was the ruling regime in the 9th century with fragmented territory from several tribes, in the 13th century, the Yuan Dynasty controlled the region. However, the Chinese government said the 14th Dalai Lama claimed that the "Tibet" region covers the Xijang, Qinghai Autonomous Region, as well as parts of Sichuan, Gansu, Yunnan, and Xinjiang because the Tibetans inhabit these areas so that the Chinese government also emphasized that no such thing as "Big Tibet" was claimed by the Dalai Lama.

The 14th Dalai Lama has declared his resignation as a political leader of the people in 2011, and handed over secular power to a democratically elected government of around 130,000 Tibetans worldwide.