BEIJING - China urges the United States to stop supporting or endorsing in any way the "Tibet independence" forces and their anti-China and separatist activities, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.

Lin's remarks came after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a press statement extended best wishes to Dalai Lama on the occasion of his 89th birthday, and reaffirmed US commitment to supporting efforts to preserve Xizang's linguistic, cultural and religious heritage.

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Lin told a regular press briefing that the position of the Chinese government on Xizang-related issues is consistent and clear. Xizang affairs are China's internal affairs which brook no interference by any external forces.

We urge the United States to fully understand the gravity and sensitivity of Xizang-related issues, truly respect China's core interests, be fully aware of the Dalai group's anti-China and separatist nature...

Lin Jian, Spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry

"Over the years, Xizang has enjoyed a booming economy, social harmony and stability, and sound preservation of its cultural heritage. The rights and freedoms of all ethnic groups in Xizang, including the freedom of religious belief and the freedom to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, are fully protected," Lin said, adding this is a fact and seen by many in the international community.

As many people know, the 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion, the spokesperson said.

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"We urge the United States to fully understand the gravity and sensitivity of Xizang-related issues, truly respect China's core interests, be fully aware of the Dalai group's anti-China and separatist nature, honor the commitments the United States has made to China on issues related to Xizang, and stop supporting or endorsing in any way the 'Tibet independence' forces and their anti-China and separatist activities," Lin said. 

US urged to ‘act responsibly’

During the press briefing, Lin also urged the US to stop its smears and vilification against China when asked to comment on a report by China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center, National Engineering Laboratory for Computer Virus Prevention Technology and the 360 Digital Security Group.

According to the report, the US has been hyping a hacker organization named "Volt Typhoon" since 2023 and engaging in a worldwide disinformation campaign against China.

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The spokesperson said that back in April, relevant Chinese agencies revealed the scandal about the United States framing China for being responsible for "Volt Typhoon" in order to advance its own geopolitical agenda.

The United States still owes us an explanation, and should stop its smears and vilification against China at once. We urge the United States to act responsibly and contribute to the peace and security of cyberspace.

Lin Jian, Spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry

The latest report further revealed that this disinformation campaign was conceived by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and other members of the US intelligence community with the participation of congressional China hawks and multiple federal agencies, as well as cybersecurity agencies from other Five Eyes countries, and it aimed to manipulate public opinion, Lin said.

"Till this day, the United States still owes us an explanation after the report was released," Lin said, adding that the NSA chief is still spreading disinformation about "Volt Typhoon."

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"What is worse, the latest report exposed that the US government has been pressuring a cybersecurity company and asking it to rewrite its tech analysis that proves 'Volt Typhoon' to be a ransomware group," Lin added, pointing out that this is a clumsy cover-up tactic that has not worked and will not work.

Lin said that China strongly condemns the irresponsible behavior of the United States.

"The United States still owes us an explanation, and should stop its smears and vilification against China at once. We urge the United States to act responsibly and contribute to the peace and security of cyberspace," he said.