US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa restrictions on Chinese officials on Monday. These officials limited access for US diplomats, journalists, and observers to Tibet. Meanwhile, Chinese officials could visit the US freely. Rubio said the decision follows the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018. He stressed that China has long blocked access to Tibet while enjoying open access to the US.
The US urged China to allow unrestricted access to Tibetan areas. The government warned that the lack of fair treatment would not be tolerated. Earlier, a US State Department spokesperson criticized China for asking citizens to report people supporting Taiwan’s independence. He called this move “irresponsible and wrong.” He said China’s actions threaten free speech, destabilize the Indo-Pacific, and increase tensions. The US condemned China’s actions and urged it to respect international norms and fairness in diplomacy.