China pledges easier foreign tourist access to Tibet amid US pressure

BEIJING (Reuters): The Chinese Government in Tibet said it will boost numbers and cut waiting times for foreign tourists visiting the highly restricted region, amid renewed pressure from the United States for greater access for US officials and journalists.

US President Donald Trump signed into law the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act in December, which seeks to press China to open the region by denying US entry for officials deemed responsible for restricting access to Tibet.

Beijing denounced the law at the time as interference in China’s internal affairs, risking “serious harm” to ties with Washington.

China and the United States are engaged in talks to try to hammer out a deal to end a festering trade dispute that has threatened to sour the relationship across the board, including on issues such as security, influence and human rights.