Reciprocal Access is Now Law!

By Martin Korner / January 2, 2019;

The Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act was signed by US President Donald Trump and will, in theory, make Tibet more accessible toTibet for American officials, journalists and citizens. “This law marks a new era of US support for Tibetans and a challenge to China’s discriminatory policies in Tibet.” International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) is quoted as stating after the bill received presidential approval on December 19.

After being passed unanimously in the House Judiciary Committee and House of Representatives, the bill was then approved by the Senate before President Donald Trump signed it into law. The law targets Chinese officials responsible for keeping US diplomats, reporters and ordinary nationals out of Tibet, especially Americans with Tibetan origins, and denies them entry to the US. It is based upon the principal of reciprocity, demanding equal rights regarding entry into the Beijing-ruled Tibetan Autonomous Region, as Chinese citizens enjoy open access to the US.

Furthermore, the law calls on the Secretary of State to evaluate the effectiveness of the new rules regarding the accessibility of Tibet for Americans after 90 days. Additionally, the Secretary of State must also provide an annual report to Congress about visas denied by China, and the names of any officials who are restricting entry into Tibet.

ICT, who lobbied extensively in support of the bill prior to it being passed, stated that the implementation of the newly signed law will help to keep down the abuse of human rights inside Tibet by urging China to open the region for international observers.

“By passing this impactful and innovative law, the US has blazed a path for other countries to follow and let the Chinese government know that it will face real consequences for its discrimination against the Tibetan people,” Matteo Mecacci, president of ICT, said. ICT is already in contact with other countries like Australia, the UK and Canada to discuss the potential for similar Reciprocal Acts between those countries and China.

While the new law is widely appreciated within the Tibetan community, China said the Act sends “seriously wrong signals” and accuses the US of supporting the separation of Tibet from China.