Tibetan President Seeks Stronger U.S. Backing as China Escalates Crackdown in Tibet

May 9, 2025: Congressman Joe Wilson in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, rallying support against what he described as China’s intensifying oppression in Tibet. Wilson, a staunch advocate for human rights, reaffirmed his solidarity with the Tibetan cause and condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing campaign to suppress Tibetan identity and autonomy.

According to a statement from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the meeting was also attended by representatives from the Office of Tibet and the International Campaign for Tibet, and focused on deepening bipartisan U.S. support for the Tibetan freedom movement. Congressman Wilson praised the Dalai Lama for his enduring leadership and emphasized America’s continued commitment to Tibetan rights.

In a separate, closed-door session, the Tibetan delegation also engaged with Elliott Abrams, a veteran U.S. foreign policy strategist, at the Council on Foreign Relations. Abrams—who has held senior roles such as U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela—discussed the global implications of China’s authoritarian trajectory and its heavy-handed policies in Tibet.

The CTA emphasized that these high-level engagements are part of a strategic global effort to counter Beijing’s decades-long effort to erase Tibetan culture and religion. The Tibetan leadership views continued U.S. support as essential in resisting what they call a “slow-motion cultural genocide.”

In recent months, China has intensified its repressive tactics in the region, prompting international concern. According to CTA reports, Tibetan-language schools such as Jigme Gyaltsen Vocational High School and Gangjong Sherig Norbu School have been shuttered and replaced with Mandarin-only institutions, undermining the linguistic and cultural fabric of the Tibetan people.

Protests, including those against the Kamtok hydropower project in Derge County, have been violently suppressed, with numerous arrests and detentions. Individuals caught with images of the Dalai Lama or his teachings have faced harsh punishment, and religious freedom continues to deteriorate. Surveillance has expanded dramatically, with new reports of mass DNA collection and enforced disappearances surfacing in early 2025.

Despite repeated international appeals and recommendations from the United Nations, China has refused to implement substantive changes or acknowledge the human rights concerns raised by global watchdogs. Still, the Tibetan leadership remains hopeful that rising global awareness and strong bipartisan support—especially from the United States—will help turn the tide.