Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act

Bill: 118-s-138
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2023-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
China
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Human rights
International law and treaties
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Tibet

Summary:
action_date: 2023-01-30
text: 

Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act

 
This bill addresses issues relating to Tibet, including by establishing a statutory definition of Tibet that includes areas in Chinese provinces outside the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). 
 
For the purposes of U.S. policies and activities relating to Tibet, this bill defines Tibet to include the TAR and the Tibetan areas of the Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan provinces. (Generally, when China's government refers to Tibet, it means only the TAR, while Tibetan exile groups consider historical Tibet to include the TAR as well as areas in the provinces included in this bill's definition. China's government formally established the TAR in 1965.)
 
Furthermore, the objectives of the Office of the U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues shall include working to ensure that U.S. government statements and documents counter disinformation about Tibet by China's government and the Chinese Communist Party, including disinformation about Tibet's history and institutions. The bill also authorizes the office to take other actions to counter such disinformation. 
 
This bill also states that it is U.S. policy that the conflict between Tibet and China is unresolved and that Tibet's legal status remains to be determined in accordance with international law. 

action_date: 2024-05-07
text: 

Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act 

This bill addresses issues relating to Tibet, including by establishing a statutory definition of Tibet that includes areas in Chinese provinces outside the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

For the purposes of U.S. policies and activities relating to Tibet, this bill defines Tibet to include the TAR and the Tibetan areas of the Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan provinces. (Generally, when China's government refers to Tibet, it means only the TAR, but it recognizes the areas included in this bill's definition as Tibetan. China's government formally established the TAR in 1965.)

Furthermore, the duties of the Office of the U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues shall include working with relevant bureaus in the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to ensure that U.S. government statements and documents counter, as appropriate, disinformation about Tibet by China's government and the Chinese Communist Party, including disinformation about Tibet's history and institutions.
 
action_date: 2024-07-12
text: 

Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act

This act addresses issues relating to Tibet, including by establishing a statutory definition of Tibet that includes areas in Chinese provinces outside the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR).

For the purposes of a federal law concerning U.S. policies and activities relating to Tibet, this act defines Tibet to include the TAR and the Tibetan areas of the Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan provinces. (Generally, when China's government refers to Tibet, it means only the TAR, but it recognizes the areas included in this act's definition as Tibetan. China's government formally established the TAR in 1965.)

Furthermore, the duties of the Office of the U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues shall include working with relevant bureaus in the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to ensure that U.S. government statements and documents counter, as appropriate, disinformation about Tibet by China's government and the Chinese Communist Party, including disinformation about Tibet's history and institutions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-07-12
text: Became Public Law No: 118-70.
action_date: 2024-07-12
text: Became Public Law No: 118-70.
action_date: 2024-07-12
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2024-07-12
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2024-07-08
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2024-07-08
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2024-06-12
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-06-12
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 391 - 26 (Roll no. 252). (text: 6/11/2024 CR H3701-3702)
action_date: 2024-06-12
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 391 - 26 (Roll no. 252). (text: 6/11/2024 CR H3701-3702)
action_date: 2024-06-12
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3738-3739)
action_date: 2024-06-11
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2024-06-11
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 138.
action_date: 2024-06-11
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3701-3704)
action_date: 2024-06-11
text: Mr. McCaul moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2024-05-31
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2024-05-31
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2024-05-30
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2024-05-23
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3898-3899; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S3898)
action_date: 2024-05-23
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3898-3899; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S3898)
action_date: 2024-05-07
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 367.
action_date: 2024-05-07
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Cardin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2024-05-07
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Cardin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2024-04-16
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2023-01-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 118-70