DHARAMSALA, Dec 29: The Tibetan Government-in-Exile has welcomed the new US legislation endorsing the right of the Tibetans to choose a successor to the Dalai Lama and calling for establishing an American consulate in Tibet. The new US Tibetan policy will seek to pre-empt any Chinese manoeuvres over Dalai Lama's succession.

The Bill backs the free Tibet movement. It says Washington should build an international coalition for the rights of the Tibetans. It also calls for setting up a US consulate in Lhasa in Tibet. If China resists, it will not be allowed to open new consulates in the US. Since the Bill has become law it will have to be implemented and cannot be stopped by future Presidents. The Bill had bipartisan support in the Senate.

President Donald Trump signed the Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020 on Sunday. The legislation modifies various provisions relating to Tibet.

The Speaker of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile in Dharamsala, Pema Jungney, said in a statement: “This act officially endorses that recognition of the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is the sole authority of the great XIV Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist leaders and the Tibetan people with no interference from the Chinese government (People's Republic of China).”

It said, the US has over the years supported the Tibetan cause and "we are immensely grateful for your indefatigable support in taking strong measures against China."