2008 Press Release

Public Affairs Section
Embassy of the United States of America
No. 17 Guanghua Lu
Beijing, PRC 100600
Telephone: (86-10) 6532-1161 (ext. 7091)
Fax: (86-10) 6532-2951

March 29, 2008 

U.S. DIPLOMAT PARTICIPATES IN TRIP TO TIBET

A U.S. Embassy officer participated in the March 28-29 Chinese government-organized trip to Lhasa.

The trip was heavily scheduled, and neither the U.S. nor other participants were able to deviate from the official itinerary.  The group met with Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) officials, including TAR Chairman Qiangba Puncog. 

Among the issues the U.S. participant raised with the Chinese government was the need for free access to Tibet and other areas affected by unrest for international and domestic journalists, as well as for diplomats.  The officer also urged China to exercise restraint, to engage in dialogue, and to respect the fundamental right of all citizens to peacefully express their religious and political views. 

In addition to government meetings, the delegation toured damaged areas of Lhasa and two hospitals, and met with individuals selected by the TAR officials.  The delegation was not permitted to move about independently in Lhasa, and was unable to hold unsupervised conversations with local residents.  The U.S. Embassy officer met with three American citizens at the delegation's hotel.

We see this trip, and the one for domestic and international journalists earlier this week, as steps in the right direction.  However, the Embassy will continue to ask for other opportunities for our Embassy Beijing and Consulate General Chengdu staff, as well as international and domestic journalists, to travel to Lhasa and affected areas.  And we call on China to respect the fundamental and universally recognized right of all of its citizens to peacefully express their political and religious views without fear of reprisal, whether speaking to journalists and diplomats or participating in peaceful demonstrations.
The U.S. government paid for all travel expenses except certain group meals.  The trip was arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government of the TAR. 

# # #