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| The 14th Dalai Lama (Image: Wiki Commons) |
BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislative body, on Friday voiced strong dissatisfaction after some U.S. lawmakers met with the Dalai Lama in Washington.
"The meeting went against the U.S. commitment that Tibet is a part of Chinese territory and it does not support 'Tibet independence'," said a statement issued by the NPC's Foreign Affairs Committee.
The meeting also breached basic norms of international relations and constituted a severe interference in China's internal affairs, the statement said.
U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and some lawmakers met with the Dalai Lama in Washington on June 14.
Recalling the history of Tibet, the statement said Tibet formally became an administrative region of China in the 13th century, more than 500 years earlier than the independence of the United States.
The region was peacefully liberated in 1951, and 1 million serfs were liberated in 1959 when the feudal serfdom was abolished through democratic reform, the statement said.
Since Tibet Autonomous Region was established in 1965, Tibet has made remarkable achievements, the statement said.
The Tibet Autonomous Region is now in the best period of development, featuring a prosperous economy, a stable society, religious harmony and unity among all ethnic groups, said the statement.
Read the full story at Xinhua
NOTE: The “For Tibet's Culture, I want to self-immolate: Monk reportedly said” Link in the above was added by PacificSentinel for clarity & context.