Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian considers this appointment to be political manipulation, “aimed at interfering in China’s internal affairs and destabilizing the situation in Tibet”
China is strongly opposed to the appointment of Robert Destro, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Relations, as Special Coordinator for Tibet. As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a briefing Thursday, US action is a political manipulation aimed at interfering in China’s internal affairs.
“Tibetan Affairs is a Chinese internal affair that does not tolerate outside interference”, – he said. According to him, “the appointment of the so-called Special Coordinator for Tibetan Affairs is a political manipulation aimed at interfering in China’s internal affairs and destabilizing the situation in Tibet.
“China is firmly against this and will never recognize this [appointment]”, – the diplomat pointed out. – “The US should stop interfering in China’s internal affairs. China will take all necessary measures to protect its interests”, – he concluded.
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced the appointment of his Assistant for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Relations Robert Destro as Special Coordinator for Tibet. He said Destro “will work to promote dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama or its representatives, protect the unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity of Tibetans, ensure respect for human rights, and support efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs of Tibetan refugees. Destro will combine both positions.
In July, Washington introduced new visa restrictions on Chinese officials involved, according to US authorities, in restricting foreigners’ access to Tibet. After that, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Beijing would impose visa restrictions on US citizens for “inappropriate behaviour” towards the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in July that Beijing was calling on the US to “stop using Tibet as a pretext to interfere in China’s internal affairs and stop following the wrong path to prevent further damage to bilateral relations.