China Sanctions U.S. Representative Jim McGovern Over Tibet Bill

China has imposed sanctions on U.S. Representative Jim McGovern in response to his sponsorship of a bill advocating for a peaceful resolution of the China-Tibet dispute. The sanctions freeze McGovern’s Chinese assets, prohibit engagement with him by individuals and organizations in China, and ban him and his family from entering Chinese territory, according to Xinhua, the state media agency.

McGovern, who has no known assets or business dealings in China, sponsored the Tibet-China Dispute Act, which passed the House of Representatives in mid-June and was signed into law by President Joe Biden on July 12. The legislation enhances the State Department’s authority to counter Chinese disinformation about Tibet and calls for the resumption of dialogue between Chinese leaders and the Dalai Lama, who has not met with Chinese officials since 2010.

China views Tibet as an “inseparable part of China since ancient times,” a position challenged by supporters of the Tibetan Government in Exile and the Dalai Lama, who argue that Tibet has historically been independent.

Honored to meet with the Sikyong and allies yesterday to celebrate the Resolve Tibet Act becoming law.

I was so proud to help author & pass this important bipartisan bill.

Our message to the Tibetan people: we will always be wind at your back. pic.twitter.com/6J5CzMELsV

— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) July 26, 2024

In a statement following the bill’s passage, McGovern criticized China’s policies in Tibet, stating, “The People’s Republic of China has systematically denied Tibetans the right to self-determination and continues to deliberately erase Tibetan religion, culture, and language.” He described the ongoing oppression of the Tibetan people as a “grave tragedy” and asserted that the bill provides tools for the U.S. and the international community to advocate for justice and peace.

Xinhua condemned the Tibet-China Dispute Act as a “gross interference in China’s internal affairs,” claiming that it violates international law and distorts historical facts to undermine China and support Tibetan separatist movements.

This move is part of a broader pattern of sanctions by China against U.S. officials involved in issues perceived as threats to its territorial integrity. Over the past year, China has also sanctioned Representative Michael McCaul and former Representative Mike Gallagher in response to their support for Taiwan.