| UPDATED: 21:57, Sun, Jan 10, 2021
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The US has been hugely critical of Beijing, over its handling of Tibet, Hong Kong and nations attempting to fish and prosper throughout the South China Sea. Beijing claims sovereignty over the waters, a claim that is rejected by China s neighbouring countries, as well as global powerhouse the US. But in a cutting attempt to threaten Washington, China demanded that the US backs away from its domestic rows, as it attempts to maintain its authority in the lucrative waters.
Beijing rejects ‘foreign interference’ in its internal affairs
The United States and China on Tuesday sparred over Tibet and the South China Sea, with new moves from Washington marking the start of the last month of President Donald Trump in office fuelling fresh tensions in an already fraught relationship.
On Tuesday, China hit out at the U.S. for passing the Tibetan Policy and Support Act (TPSA), a landmark legislation that calls for the opening of a U.S. consulate in Lhasa and also underlines U.S. backing for the Dalai Lama to determine his successor.
The Act said such decisions “should be made by the appropriate religious authorities within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition” with the “wishes of the 14th Dalai Lama. [playing] a determinative role”, and described “interference” in the succession by China as “a clear violation of the fundamental religious freedoms for Tibetan Buddhists and the Tibetan people”.