China slams 'disgusting' US stance on human rights in Tibet
Beijing lambasted the US on Friday for “disgusting” comments by a US official on the human rights in Tibet, prompting China to file a diplomatic complaint with Washington.
China’s Foreign Ministry lambasted the United States on Friday for “disgusting” comments by a US official on the human rights situation in Tibet, saying it had prompted them to file a formal diplomatic complaint with Washington.
Maria Otero, United States Special Co-ordinator for Tibetan Issues, said in a statement on Wednesday that tensions in Tibetan areas, including self-immolations, had been exacerbated by tough Chinese policies and controls.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, using unusually harsh language, said the Tibet issue had nothing to do with human rights, ethnicity or religion.
“It is an important issue of principle which relates to China’s unity and territorial integrity. China resolutely opposes any country or person using any means to interfere in China’s internal affairs,” he told a daily news briefing.
Ninety-two Tibetans have set themselves on fire to protest Chinese rule since 2009, with at least 75 dying from their injuries. The number of self-immolation cases have increased this year, with 28 alone in November.
Hong repeated the official stance that Tibetans had enjoyed unprecedented advances and rights under Communist Party rule, blaming exiled spiritual leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner the Dalai Lama for inciting the self-immolations.
