Context:

Needling China, the US Congress passed The Tibetan Policy and Support Act (TPSA) to step up US support for Tibetans.

The Tibetan Policy and Support Act, 2020

• The Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020 is part of a massive USD 2.3 trillion packages for the year-end bill to provide long-delayed coronavirus relief and fund the federal government, modifies and re-authorizes various programs and provisions related to Tibet.
• Built on the landmark Tibetan Policy Act of 2002, the TPSA addresses Tibetan-
  • Buman rights
  • Environmental rights
  • Religious freedoms
• The democratic Tibetan government in exile.

The Dalai Lama Factor

• The Act reaffirms the right of Tibetans to choose a successor to their spiritual leader.
• Any interference by Chinese government officials will be met with serious sanctions and deemed inadmissible into the United States.

14th Dalai Lama

• The incumbent and the 14th Dalai Lama have been living in exile in India ever since his 1959 escape from Tibet, which had been occupied by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in 1950-51.
• He has been leading the movement for “genuine autonomy” for Tibet and Tibetans.