US does not support 'Tibetan independence'

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State John Norris has reaffirmed that Tibet is part of China and the United States does not support "Tibetan independence." He made the remark while meeting with a delegation from China's National People's Congress on Monday. The members of the delegation are all Tibetan NPC deputies.

The five-member delegation was led by Shingtsa Tenzinchodrak, a living Buddha. He's also vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

During the meeting with officials from the US Department of State, Tenzinchodrak talked about religious freedom in Tibet. He said freedom of religious belief is written in the Chinese Constitution. He said that Tibet now has more than 1,700 religious sites, with about 46,000 monks and nuns.

John Norris said the US government's stance on the Tibet issue has been consistent. The US acknowledges that Tibet is an inalienable part of China and it does not support Tibetan independence.

The delegation also held talks with representatives from the US-Asia Institute, a non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering understanding and ties between the US and Asian countries.