In response to the recent visa restrictions imposed by the US on Chinese officials, China has placed visa limits on US personnel who have acted "egregiously" regarding Tibet-related matters. "Tibet affairs are purely China’s internal affairs," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian in a media briefing in Beijing.

“In accordance with the Law on Foreign Relations of the People’s Republic of China and the Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People’s Republic of China, China decided to impose visa restrictions on US personnel who have acted egregiously on the Xizang (Tibet) -related issues,” said Lin. China calls Tibet "Xizang." The restrictions were a response to similar actions taken by Washington against Chinese officials. Washington would impose extra visa restrictions on Chinese officials that are “determined to be substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners” to Tibetan areas, according to a statement released by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on March 31. 

The decision was made based on the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018. This law allows the US to deny visas to Chinese officials who are involved in preventing American government workers, journalists, independent observers, and tourists from entering Tibet, according to a report by the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post. Chinese authorities have historically "refused to afford US diplomats, journalists, and other international observers access to the Tibet autonomous region and other Tibetan areas of China," according to the statement, while "China's diplomats and journalists enjoy broad access in the United States." Similar limitations have already been imposed on Chinese officials by the United States. "We welcome friends from foreign countries to visit, travel, and do business in China's Xizang region," Lin said in response to the US statement. 

"At the same time, we oppose any country or individual using human rights, religion and culture as a false pretext to meddle in Xizang affairs,” he said. "China opposes interference and sabotage by people with ill motives who would use visits to Xizang as an opportunity to engage in such activities,” he added. Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new visa restrictions on Chinese officials who are blocking US officials from visiting Tibetan areas. This decision is a response to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ongoing refusal to let US diplomats, journalists, and international observers enter Tibet, while Chinese officials can travel freely to the United States. "Today, I am taking steps to impose additional visa restrictions on Chinese officials determined to be substantially involved in the formulation or execution of policies related to access for foreigners to Tibetan Areas, pursuant to the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018," Rubio said in a statement.

"For far too long, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has refused to afford US diplomats, journalists, and other international observers access to the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and other Tibetan areas of China, while China's diplomats and journalists enjoy broad access in the United States. US diplomats are also unable to provide services to US citizens travelling in Tibet," he added.