How is U.S. policy on Tibet different from that of other Western governments like the UK?
TS: The U.S. has been more forthright when it comes to showing support for His Holiness and the people of Tibet. They never really shied away, as opposed to the British and other governments. They have been very forthright about it. That’s a big difference. In the UK there has been a change of policy because in 2008 the UK came out, stating that they recognised Tibet as part of China. Previously the UK recognised Chinese suzerainty, but not sovereignty over Tibet. The fact of the matter is that realities change all the time and China has become so much more important today than they were 10 to 15 years ago. So they are using their economic muscle to squeeze every government.
