USA appoints special coordinator on Tibet

'Proud to name Robert Destro as U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.

"I am proud to serve as the State Department's Special Coordinator for Tibetan issues". Destro will also support American efforts to address human needs in the region.

Last month Mr. Pompeo had urged Beijing to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama and his representatives "without preconditions". "This is the first time in six decades, a Sikyong (President) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) was formally invited inside the State Department".

The Trump administration has appointed a senior official to oversee Tibetan issues after a vacancy for nearly four years, as the US increases pressure on China over its human rights record, including the use of forced labor among ethnic minorities.

Pompeo said the United States remains concerned about China's repression of the Tibetan community. "History is made today!"

Sangay, who lives in exile in India and heads the Central Tibetan Authority shared a picture of his meeting with Destro in Washington on Facebook. "Great honor to meet with the Special Coordinator on Tibetan Issues Robert A Destro". This is the first meeting between the president of the Central Tibetan Administration with that of the USA state department in six decades.

Rights groups and Tibetan diaspora activists say Tibetans have suffered harsh restrictions on their religion and culture under Chinese rule - including the demolition of monasteries - which culminated in several self-immolation protests by Tibetans in recent years. "We believe Tibet future will be better,".

"There is no element of coercion", Che Dhala, Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region, said in response to a question on whether nomads are forced to participate in the training programs, adding that people are trained in skills they want, such as driving or welding. According to the budget documents, the Ministry of External Affairs has proposed a fund of $ 17 million for Tibetan issues and $ 1 million for the Special Coordinator on Tibetan Issues in FY 2021, which started from October 1. Thus, it becomes the moral responsibility of every Tibetans living outside of Tibet to preserve and to promote the unique identity of Tibet.

China had hit back calling the appointment an attempt to interfere in China's domestic affairs.