; 105 Stat 713), expressed the sense of Congress that Tibet’s true representatives are the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile as recognized by the Tibetan people and that Tibet has maintained throughout its history a distinctive and sovereign national, cultural, and religious identity separate from that of China and, except during periods of illegal Chinese occupation, has maintained a separate and sovereign political and territorial identity. (10) The Middle Way Approach, the official policy of the Central Tibetan Administration, seeks genuine autonomy for the 6,000,000 Tibetans in Tibet. (b) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) Tibetan exile communities around the world should be commended for the successful adoption of a system of self-governance with democratic institutions and free elections to choose their leaders; (2) the Dalai Lama should be commended for his decision to transfer political authority to elected leaders in accordance with democratic principles; (3) the Central Tibetan Administration legitimately represents and reflects the aspirations of Tibetan people around the world, and the Sikyong is the President of the Central Tibetan Administration; (4) as consistent with section 621(d)(3) of the Tibetan Policy Act of 2002 ( 22 U.S.C. 6901 note), the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues should continue to maintain close contact with the religious, cultural, and elected leaders of the Tibetan people