DHARAMSHALA, February 26: China has criticized the United State’s appointment of Sarah Sewall as its Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues. The Chinese foreign ministry said Monday that it opposes any foreign intervention in its “internal” affairs. “The Chinese government resolutely opposes any foreign country using the so-called Tibet problem to interfere in China’s internal affairs,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a news briefing. “China has never and will never recognize the U.S.’ so-called special envoy for the Tibet problem.”
The US Secretary of State John Kerry announced Sewall’s appointment the day U.S. President Barack Obama met the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the White House, playing down warnings from Beijing that the meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader would cause “great damage” to bilateral ties.
Meanwhile, the US government urged the Chinese leadership to resume talks with the Tibetan leader for his representatives on Friday without pre-conditions.
A statement from the US State Department said Sewall’s responsibilities will include working to promote substantive dialogue between the Chinese Government and the Dalai Lama or his representatives.
She will coordinate government’s policies, programmes, and projects on Tibetan issues globally, and particularly within the context of our bilateral relationships with China, India and Nepal, where there are significant populations of Tibetans, the statement said.
Ms. Sewall was sworn in as the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights on February 20.
The Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 necessitated the appointment of the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary for Global Affairs (Dept. of State), concurrently served as the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues in the Bush Administration, succeeding Julia Taft.
