Dalai Lama’s legacy will live on and Xi will be gone, says Nancy Pelosi

A US Congressional delegation led by Michael McCaul met with the Dalai Lama, where Nancy Pelosi criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasizing the enduring legacy of the Tibetan spiritual leader. The visit highlights ongoing US support for Tibetan autonomy amid rising tensions with China.

Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh – A high-powered bipartisan delegation from the US Congress, led by US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, met with the Dalai Lama on Wednesday. The delegation included notable figures such as former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, now Speaker Emerita, and Congressional members Mariannette Miller, Gregory Meeks, Nicole Malliotakis, Jim McGovern, and Ami Bera.

During the visit, Pelosi delivered a strongly-worded statement about Chinese President Xi Jinping, asserting that while the Dalai Lama's legacy would endure, Xi's contributions would be forgotten. "His Holiness Dalai Lama, with his message of knowledge, tradition, compassion, purity of soul, and love, will live a long time, and his legacy will live forever. But you, the President of China, you’ll be gone and nobody will give you credit for anything," Pelosi stated.

Pelosi acknowledged that the Dalai Lama might not approve of her critical remarks towards the Chinese government, noting, "When I criticize the Chinese government, he says, let’s pray for Nancy to rid her of her negative attitudes."

US Representative Gregory Meeks echoed Pelosi's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of Tibetan freedom. "China can express unhappiness if it wants to. We are going to stand for what is right. What is right is to make sure that Tibetans have freedom. They are able to return to their native land and keep their culture and history," Meeks said.

The delegation’s visit is one of the most significant US delegations to meet with the Dalai Lama in recent years, highlighting the ongoing US support for Tibet. Last week, the US Congress passed the 'Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act,' also known as the 'Resolve Tibet Act.' This bill urges Beijing to re-engage with the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan leaders to resolve their dispute over Tibet peacefully. The bill, having passed the House of Representatives, now awaits President Joe Biden's signature to become law.

Pelosi elaborated on the significance of the bill, stating, "This Bill is a message to the Chinese Government that we have clarity in our thinking and understanding of this issue of the freedom of Tibet." She added, "Things have changed now, get ready for that."

McCaul reaffirmed American support for Tibetan self-determination and revealed that the delegation had received a warning letter from the Chinese Communist Party before their visit. "Just this week our delegation received a letter from the Chinese Communist Party, warning us not to come here… but we did not let the CCP intimidate us for we are here today," McCaul said.

The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi reacted sharply to the delegation’s visit, urging the US to recognize Tibet (referred to as Xizang by China) as part of China. The Embassy's spokesperson stated, "China will take resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security, and development interests."

China has consistently labeled the Dalai Lama as a political exile involved in anti-China separatist activities. The Chinese Embassy spokesperson reiterated this stance, urging the US to recognize the "anti-China separatist nature of the Dalai group" and honor its commitments regarding Tibet.

This visit underscores the ongoing tension between the US and China over Tibet, highlighting the international community's continued interest in the region's autonomy and human rights situation.