China protests to US over appointment of Spl Coordinator for Tibet

October 20, 2020 21:50

China said on Tuesday that it had lodged a diplomatic protest with the United States over the appointment of Robert Destro as a Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues and his meeting with Lobsang Sangay, the head of the Tibetan government in exile.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on October 15 named senior diplomat Destro as Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues, who, among other matters, would focus on advancing dialogue between the Communist government in China and the Dalai Lama.

Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy and Human Rights and Labour Robert Destro will also serve as the US Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues, Pompeo told reporters in Washington.

Destro will focus on advancing dialogue between the Communist-run government in Beijing and the Dalai Lama, protecting the distinct religious cultural and linguistic identity of Tibetans, improving respect for their human rights and much, much more, Pompeo said.

China has already criticised Destro's appointment, saying it amounted to political manipulation aimed at destabilising Tibet.

After Destro's appointment, Sangay met him and discussed the situation in Tibet.

Asked about the Destro-Sangay meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a media briefing here: "Xizang's (Tibet's) affairs (are) purely China's internal affairs. No external forces shall interfere in them.

Unlike in the past, the Chinese officials in recent times have been referring to Tibet only as Xizang.

"Appointing the so-called special coordinator for Tibetan issues is a political move to interfere in China's internal affairs and sabotage Xizang's stability. It is China's consistent position we firmly oppose that and we will not acknowledge that. We have lodged stern representation to the US side," he said. -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

SC dismisses pleas to review Article 370 revocation verdict in Dec 2023

A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud considered the pleas in chambers and dismissed applications for listing of the review petition in open Court.

Briton dead, many hurt as turbulence hits SIA flight; 3 Indians among flyers

The airline confirmed that there were injuries onboard, and stated that all "possible assistance" will be provided to the passengers on the aircraft.

Pune accident: Registration of Porsche car that mowed down 2 yet to be done

Maharashtra transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar told PTI that the Porsche car was imported in March by a dealer in Bengaluru and from there it was sent to Maharashtra on a temporary registration.

Phase 5 voter turnout at 62.19%; nears 2019 polling percentage

The fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections has so far registered a voter turnout of approximately 62.19 percent, 1.97 percentage points less than 2019.

Qualifier 1: How Starc ripped into in-form SRH batting

Pacer Mitchell Starc was adjudged player of the match for his sensational bowling up front when he claimed the scalps of Travis Head, Nitish Reddy and Shahbaz Ahmed in the powerplay.