{
  "id": "R43781",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R43781",
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  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
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      "id": 442909,
      "date": "2015-07-09",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-06T18:49:11.184914",
      "title": "The Tibetan Policy Act of 2002: Background and Implementation",
      "summary": "The Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 (TPA) is a core legislative measure guiding U.S. policy toward Tibet. Its stated purpose is \u201cto support the aspirations of the Tibetan people to safeguard their distinct identity.\u201d Among other provisions, the TPA establishes in statute the State Department position of Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues and defines the Special Coordinator\u2019s \u201ccentral objective\u201d as being \u201cto promote substantive dialogue\u201d between the government of the People\u2019s Republic of China and Tibet\u2019s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, or his representatives. The Special Coordinator is also required, among other duties, to \u201ccoordinate United States Government policies, programs, and projects concerning Tibet\u201d; \u201cvigorously promote the policy of seeking to protect the distinct religious, cultural, linguistic, and national identity of Tibet\u201d; and press for \u201cimproved respect for human rights.\u201d \nWhile the Special Coordinator coordinates Tibet-related U.S. government programs, congressional mandates and earmarked appropriations for most such programs are contained in legislation other than the TPA. The programs include assistance for nongovernmental organizations to work in Tibetan communities in China; an educational and cultural exchange program with \u201cthe people of Tibet\u201d; Voice of America and Radio Free Asia Tibetan-language broadcasting into Tibet; assistance for Tibetan refugees in South Asia; a scholarship program for Tibetans outside Tibet; and National Endowment for Democracy programs relating to Tibet. \nCongress has shown a strong interest in Tibet since the 1980s, passing dozens of laws and resolutions related to Tibet, speaking out about conditions in Tibet, and welcoming visits by the Dalai Lama and, more recently, the political head of the India-based Central Tibetan Administration. Such actions have long been a source of friction in the U.S.-China relationship. China charges that they amount to support for challenges to Chinese rule in Tibet.\nSince passage of the TPA, three bills seeking to update it have passed the House of Representatives. In the 113th Congress, H.R. 4194, the House-passed Government Reports Elimination Act of 2014, would eliminate a report required by the TPA: the provision was removed in the Senate-passed bill. H.R. 2410 in the 111th Congress and H.R. 2601 in the 109th Congress both included substantial revisions to the TPA, but the Senate did not act on either bill.\nIf Congress again considers amending the TPA, questions it may wish to consider include:\nTo what degree, if any, should policy toward Tibet be considered in the context of relations with China?\nShould Congress clarify its position on Tibet\u2019s political status? In the early 1990s, Congress passed legislation declaring Tibet to be an \u201coccupied country,\u201d but subsequent legislation has often implied congressional acceptance of a status for Tibet as part of China.\nWhat should be the balance between U.S. programs, activities, and policies focused on the 6 million Tibetans living under Chinese Communist Party rule and those focused on the approximately 130,000-strong Tibetan diaspora in South Asia?\nWith dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama\u2019s representatives stalled since January 2010, should the TPA continue to define promotion of such dialogue as the Special Coordinator\u2019s \u201ccentral objective\u201d?",
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      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 278,
          "name": "China, Taiwan, and Mongolia"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department",
      "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc809009/",
      "id": "R43781_2014Nov05",
      "date": "2014-11-05",
      "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26",
      "title": "The Tibetan Policy Act of 2002: Background and Implementation",
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  "topics": [
    "Appropriations",
    "Asian Affairs",
    "Foreign Affairs",
    "Intelligence and National Security",
    "National Defense"
  ]
}