US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new visa restrictions on Chinese officials responsible for limiting the access of US diplomats, journalists, and international observers to Tibetan areas.
🛑 Key Takeaways from Rubio’s Statement:
🔹 Visa restrictions target Chinese officials involved in restricting access to Tibet
🔹 Move follows the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018
🔹 US condemns China’s double standards, where Chinese diplomats & journalists enjoy broad access to the US while restricting American counterparts in Tibet
“For far too long, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has refused to afford US diplomats, journalists, and other international observers access to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and other Tibetan areas of China,” Rubio stated.
🔹 US demands immediate reciprocity, calling on China to allow unrestricted access to Tibet for US representatives.
US Slams China’s Informant System on Taiwan Independence
💬 The US State Department also condemned China’s call for citizens to report pro-Taiwan independence individuals as:
❌ “Irresponsible and reprehensible”
❌ Part of Beijing’s intimidation campaign
❌ A threat to global free speech & regional stability
The Taipei Times reported that Beijing encouraged citizens to inform on “Taiwan independence henchmen and accomplices”, a move Washington sees as destabilizing the Indo-Pacific region and undermining the cross-strait status quo.
🔹 With these escalating tensions, the US continues to push back against China’s policies on Tibet & Taiwan, signalling a firm stance on diplomatic and human rights issues.