US imposes additional visa restrictions on Chinese officials over Tibet access

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on March 31 that the United States has imposed new visa restrictions on Chinese officials involved in policies that limit foreign access to Tibetan areas. This move comes as part of ongoing tensions over China’s control and treatment of 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, while China's diplomats and journalists enjoy broad access in the United States," Rubio said in a statement Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The statement did not identify the specific Chinese officials subject to the new visa restrictions nor did it provide further details about the exact nature of the measures. Rubio, however, emphasized the principle of reciprocity in diplomatic relations, which the United States believes has been violated by China’s policies.

"US diplomats are also unable to provide services to US citizens traveling in Tibet. This lack of reciprocity is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," Rubio declared. He further urged China to allow diplomats "unrestricted access" to Tibetan areas, underscoring the importance of diplomatic transparency and freedom of movement for international observers.

The United States has long been critical of China's policies in Tibet. While Washington officially recognizes Tibet as part of China, the US government has consistently advocated for the protection of religious freedoms and the preservation of Tibetan culture. "The US Department of State has repeatedly pressed Chinese authorities to respect religious freedom for all people and to allow Tibetans to preserve, practice, teach, and develop their religious traditions and language without interference from the government," the State Department has stated.

China's control over Tibet has been a contentious issue since it took control of the region in 1950, an event the Chinese government refers to as a "peaceful liberation" from feudalistic serfdom. However, international human rights groups and Tibetan exiles frequently criticize China's policies in the region, calling them oppressive.

This development is the latest chapter in the ongoing friction between the US and China, which has been marked by disputes over trade tariffs, market access, human rights, and other issues such as the ownership of TikTok, Taiwan, and the origins of COVID-19.

By Vafa Guliyeva