US passes bill against China meddling in Dalai Lama succession: 'Only Tibet has the right'

House of Representatives in Washington, on Tuesday, Jan 28, voted to pass a bill on sanctions against Chinese officials for reportedly interfering in process of determining next possible successor to Dalai Lama, as y continue to raise pressure on exiled Tibetan spiritual leer.

US House freezes Chinese officials' assets and imposes travel ban

Under legislation, US could tentatively freeze any American asset and travel of Chinese officials in country, if y are found to be involved eir in 'identifying or installing a Dalai Lama' approved by Beijing. 

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According to Bill, successor or supposed reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist leers, including a 15th Dalai Lama in future is an 'exclusive right' solely held by Tibetan Buddhist community.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, reportedly a longtime vocate for Tibet stated, Bill aims to encour Beijing to resume dialogue with Dalai Lama' envoys over issue of automy and Statehood. tably, talks between China and Dalai Lama broke off nearly a dece ago.

dressing House, Speaker said, 'We are supporting Tibetan people's rights to religious freedom and genuine automy by formally establishing a US policy that Tibetan Buddhist community has   exclusive right to choose its religious leers, including 15th Dalai Lama.' 

Reportedly, a total of 932 lawmakers voted for Bill while 22 representatives opposed it. 

tably, in latest human rights bill passed in US Congress, an act supporting ongoing Hong Kong protests was also included which seems to have upset China, according to reports. This could furr strain relationship between two States worry experts.

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What sanctions are included in Bill?

Act which still needs approval from Senate will include efforts to prohibit China from opening any furr Consulates in US until Washington can open a mission in Lhasa, Tibet's heavily restricted "original" capital.

Apart from this, restricting official travel for Chinese government staff and indefinitely freezing ir overseas assets in US are all recommended in Bill, as per Global Magnitsky Act. 

 Global Magnitsky Act allows US to sanction foreign government officials implicated in human rights abuses anywhere in world.

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Who is Dalai Lama?

Dalai Lamas are believed to be patrons and saints of Tibet and y follow a long history of religious inclination who are highly revered for ir wisdom, n-violent principles and faith by people from all religions across world.
14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was born in Tibet in 1935 and was formally trained in school of Tibetan Buddhism. Shortly after being chosen as spiritual leer to guide self-automous region of Tibet by its people, he was quickly sent to exile, amidst 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese oppression. He fled to neighbouring India on March 30, 1959, where he currently lives. 

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