The head of the Tibetan government in exile, Lobsang Sangay, met with the special coordinator for Tibetan affairs, Robert Destro, on Thursday in the first meeting between the president of the Central Tibetan Administration and that of the US State Department.
Sangay shared a photo with Destro on Facebook. “It is a great honor to meet with the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs, Robert A Destro. This is the first time in six decades that a Sikyong (chairman) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) was formally invited to the State Department, ”Sangay said in the publication.
Sangay also thanked US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for naming Destro, who is also a human rights official. He said: “I want to thank the State Department for recognizing the democratically elected leader of the CTA and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for approving the visit. History is made today! “
The United States confirmed on Thursday the appointment of Robert Destro as special coordinator for Tibetan affairs. The move is aimed at creating pressure on China regarding Tibetan autonomy and bringing issues of human rights and forced labor in the region to the fore.
Following Destro’s appointment, Pompeo criticized the Chinese government in a statement, which Bloomberg agreed to. “The United States remains concerned about the PRC’s crackdown on the Tibetan community, including the lack of meaningful autonomy, the deterioration of the human rights situation in Tibetan areas, and the severe restrictions on religious freedom and cultural traditions. of Tibetans in China, “Pompeo said.
China lashed out at the United States, calling the appointment an attempt to interfere in China’s internal affairs. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian alleged that the appointment is a case of political manipulation. “The affairs of Tibet are China’s internal affairs that do not allow foreign interference. The creation of the so-called coordinator for Tibetan affairs is totally out of political manipulation to interfere in China’s internal affairs and destabilize Tibet. China strongly opposes that, ”Zhao said.
The timing of the appointment has enraged China as it tries to suppress Hong Kong’s mounting demands for greater autonomy and independence. Taiwan continues to claim that it is an independent nation and has never been part of China, which has led to tensions between the two nations.
Destro also served on the committee along with Keith Krach, undersecretary of state for economic growth, who visited Taiwan last month to sign new trade deals. The United States seeks to boost its relations with Taiwan and Tibet to increase pressure on China.
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