On December 4, the U.S. Mission in Geneva held an online activity on the so-called "Religious Freedom in Tibet" and spread lies on issues including the reincarnation of Dalai Lama. This is a gross interference by the U.S. side in China's internal affairs, undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which China categorically rejects.

Tibet has been an inalienable part of China since ancient times. Tibetan affairs brook no interference by any external forces. Over the past 60 years since the democratic reform, Tibet has enjoyed vibrant economic growth, social harmony and stability and prosperous cultural development. People of various ethnic groups in Tibet are united and helping towards each other, and their life has been constantly improved. All residents, including people of Tibetan ethnic group, fully enjoy all kinds of rights including freedom of religious belief.

The reincarnation of Living Buddhas is a succession system unique to Tibetan Buddhism guided by fixed religious rituals and historical conventions. The Chinese government has issued the Regulation on Religious Affairs and the Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism, respecting and protecting this unique succession system. The reincarnation of living Buddhas, including the Dalai Lama, must comply with Chinese laws and regulations and follow religious rituals and historical conventions.

Tibet-related issue is neither a human rights issue nor a religious issue. Its essence is China's determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security and unity and protect the rights of people of all ethnic groups to live in peace. As is known to all, the 14th Dalai Lama is a political figure in exile who has long been engaged in illegal secessionist activities, undermining China's national unity. The so-called "Tibetan government-in-exile" is a secessionist organization. Under the guise of human rights and religious freedom, the United States colludes with the "Tibetan independence" force and interferes in China's internal affairs by manipulating Tibet-related issue. Its attempt to create secession in China, undermine China's stability and contain China's development is nothing but a pipe dream which ends in shameful failure.

The United States never looks into the mirror before it smears others. Scandals of racial discrimination, police brutality and torture keep cropping up in the U.S. and its gun violence crime rate remains the highest in the world for years. The U.S. military operations overseas have led to the death of a large number of innocent civilians in other countries. To this date, the United States has not ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and other important human rights conventions. Ethnic minorities' freedom of religious belief is being violated. Polls show that 75 percent of Muslims living in the U.S. believe there is serious discrimination against Muslim community in the country.

China urges the United States to correct its mistakes immediately and stop interfering in China's internal affairs and undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity via Tibet-related issue. The United States is also advised to do its own homework and stop violating human rights of its own people and the people of other countries.