(Reuters) – China expressed sturdy opposition on Saturday to a U.S. legislation signed by President Joe Biden that presses Beijing to resolve a dispute over Tibet’s calls for for higher autonomy, vowing to “firmly defend” its pursuits.

Biden signed into legislation on Friday the Tibet dispute act, which seeks to push Beijing to carry talks with Tibetan leaders, stalled since 2010, to safe a negotiated settlement on the Himalayan area and spur China to handle the Tibetan folks’s aspirations on their historic, cultural, non secular and linguistic id.

The legislation “grossly interferes in China’s domestic affairs, undermines China’s interests, and sends a severely wrong signal to the ‘Tibet independence’ forces,” China’s international ministry mentioned.

Though Washington recognises Tibet as part of China, the legislation seems to query that place, analysts say. The U.S. has lengthy supported the rights of the Tibetan folks to observe their faith and tradition, accusing China of human rights violations within the distant area bordering India.

“The U.S. must not implement the Act,” the China’s ministry mentioned. “If the U.S. continues down the wrong path, China will take resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests.”

Consideration has focussed on Tibet-China points because the Dalai Lama, recuperating from a medical process, turned 89 final week. The exiled non secular chief has mentioned he’ll make clear questions on his succession round his ninetieth birthday, whereas China insists it can select his successor.