- Title: China announces visa restrictions on some US citizens over Tibet
- Date: 8th July 2020
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (JULY 8, 2020) (REUTERS) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ZHAO LIJIAN ARRIVING FOR REGULAR NEWS CONFERENCE JOURNALISTS SITTING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN, ZHAO LIJIAN, SAYING: "China has decided to implement visa restrictions on Americans who have engaged in egregious behaviour on the Tibet issue. We urge the U.S. to immediately stop using the Tibet issue to interfere with China's internal affairs, stop going further down the wrong path, and avoid further damaging China-U.S. relations, exchanges, and cooperation." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS EXTERIOR OF CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY BUILDING CHINESE FLAG FLYING
- Embargoed: 22nd July 2020 11:13
- Keywords: Chinese foreign ministry Mike Pompeo Sino-US relations Tibet Zhao Lijian
- Location: BEIJING, CHINA
- City: BEIJING, CHINA
- Country: China
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001CLY6PFR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:China said on Wednesday (July 8) it will impose visa restrictions on United States citizens who have engaged in what it called "egregious" behaviour over Tibet, in apparent retaliation against U.S restrictions on Chinese officials.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday (July 7) the U.S. would restrict visas for some Chinese officials because Beijing obstructs travel to Tibet by U.S. diplomats, journalists and tourists and commits "human rights abuses" in the Himalayan region. The moves come as relations between the two countries deteriorate over trade, technology, the coronavirus pandemic and the former British colony of Hong Kong.
China sent troops into remote, mountainous Tibet in 1950 in what it officially terms a peaceful liberation and has ruled there with an iron fist ever since.
Speaking at a regular news conference in Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Beijing would not allow foreign interference in Tibetan affairs, adding that Beijing commonly implements "protective measures" on visitors due to Tibet's geography and climate.
Pompeo said in a statement the U.S. remained committed to supporting "meaningful autonomy" for Tibetans and respect for their fundamental human rights.
(Production: Martin Pollard, Thomas Suen) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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