CHINA-US: US PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNS FUNDING BILL GRANTING ASSISTANCE TO TIBETAN ORGANISATIONS
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The US Government Funding Bill signed into law by US President Biden on March 15:
• Increases funding for Tibetans around the world: The legislation provides $10 million
for nongovernmental organizations that have experience working with Tibetan
communities to preserve Tibetan cultural traditions and promote sustainable
development, education, and environmental conservation in Tibet. The legislation also
makes $8 million available for programs to promote and preserve Tibetan culture and
language in Tibetan refugee and diaspora communities; development; and the resilience
of Tibetan communities and the Central Tibetan Administration in India and Nepal; as
well as to assist in the education and development of the next generation of Tibetan
leaders from such communities. Another $3 million will be available for programs to
strengthen the capacity of the Central Tibetan Administration, which provides
democratic governance for Tibetans in exile.
• Tibetan Institutes Promoting Democracy and Religious Freedom: The bill also provides
a grant program for Tibetan institutes established by Tibetan nationals and located in
Asia. The mission of these institutes will be to support democracy and religious
freedom in Tibet and the people’s republic of China.
• Expands the role of the special coordinator for Tibetan issues: The special coordinator
serves as the administration’s point person on efforts to resolve the Tibetan issue
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