DHARAMSHALA, November 15: Former speaker the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, has said her delegation expressed concerns regarding “freedom of religion and expression for the Tibetan people; the preservation of Tibet’s unique cultural, religious and linguistic heritage; and diplomatic and public access to Tibet.”
In her first public statement after leading a US Congressional delegation to China and Tibet earlier this week, Pelosi said, “Ours was the first Congressional delegation to enter Tibet since the 2008 unrest marked by protests, demonstrations and violence. The delegation recognized China’s commitment to building infrastructure across China, including in Tibet, and addressing climate change.
The statement said the delegation told the Chinese government officials in Tibet that the Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama enjoys strong, bipartisan support in the Congress and among the American people.
The delegation met with the Secretary of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR), Chen Quanguo; Vice Party Secretary of TAR, Baima Chilin (Pema Thinley); and Party Secretary of Lhasa, Qi Zhala and had “candid talks” regarding the importance of respecting Tibet’s autonomy, its ecology, and the human rights and religious freedom of its diverse people.
In Beijing, the delegation met with the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Li Keqiang; National People’s Congress Chairman, Zhang Dejiang; and National People’s Congress Vice Chairman, Zhang Ping.
The delegation said it reiterated the imperative of respect for religious freedom and expression in Tibet; autonomy and democracy in Hong Kong; and respect for human and women’s rights across China. “The delegation also expressed specific concerns related to the recent arrest and detention of human rights lawyers and activists.”
Besides leader Pelosi, the delegation included Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), Congressman Timothy Walz (D-MN), Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH) and Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA).
