US Senate urges China to end 'repressive' Tibet policy
Source: AFP
By Shaun Tandon | AFP – 6 hrs ago
The US Senate has urged China to ease restrictions on Tibetans, free prisoners and allow access by foreign media to address grievances following a wave of self-immolation protests.
In a voice vote without objections Thursday, the Senate approved a resolution that deplored "repressive policies targeting Tibetans" despite warnings from China, which said the bill interfered in its internal affairs.
The Senate called on China "to suspend implementation of religious control regulations" imposed since major protests in 2008 and to resume dialogue with representatives of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader.
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The resolution also urged barring China from opening further consulates in the United States until Beijing lets Washington start a mission in Tibet's capital Lhasa. However, the Senate measure is not legally binding.
Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/us-senate-urges-china-end-repressive-tibet-policy-182033052.html
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...they convey the sense of the senate regarding the subject. It's a way to call attention to the issue and in this case the PRC is pretty sensitive to bad publicity. What they aren't is a matter of law, but it's hardly a waste of time. 
Welcome to DU.
...they pass a lot of them but sometimes they do send a message. In this case, the message is that many important members of the Senate are paying attention to what the PRC is going in Tibet. They of course are not happy with this and it's a part of a semi-escalation of US diplomacy toward the PRC on a number of issues. Non-binding resolutions range from resolutions declaring National Cheese Day to requesting removal of US soldiers from Vietnam.
Have fun.
