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China says open to talks if Dalai Lama stops 'separatism'

AFP

The Dalai Lama seen here on 1 March 2009 in Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement in south India. China said it was open to new talks with the Dalai Lama over Tibet but repeated demands for the Dalai Lama to renounce “separatist” activities.File photo/Tibet Sun/Lobsang Wangyal/India

China said Tuesday it was open to new talks with the Dalai Lama over Tibet but repeated demands for the exiled spiritual leader to renounce “separatist” activities, which he already denies.

The government spokesman’s comments come amid high tension in Tibet and reports of a heavy Chinese crackdown in the run-up to 10 March’s 50th anniversary of a failed uprising that sent the Dalai Lama into exile.

“The door for contact and talks is always open and the channel is clear,” spokesman Qin Gang told reporters.

However, Qin blamed the Tibetan spiritual leader for the failure in November of the last round of talks on Tibet’s future.

“Whether our contact or talks will make progress will depend on whether the Dalai Lama can fundamentally reflect on and correct his political propositions, stop separatist activities and focus on improving relations with the central government,” Qin said.

Representatives of the Dalai Lama who took part in the talks with China blamed the November breakdown on “the failure on the part of the Chinese government to seriously respond” to the Dalai Lama’s efforts at reconciliation.

The Dalai Lama has sought “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet since he fled his homeland following a failed uprising in 1959 against Chinese rule, nine years after Chinese troops invaded the region.

China claims the Dalai Lama actually seeks full independence and is engaging in “separatist” actions in the remote region.

The Dalai Lama denies the claim.

Tibet erupted in violence last March, on the 49th anniversary of the failed uprising, and the Himalayan region has since been tightly controlled.

Last year’s talks were held following foreign pressure for negotiations between China and the Dalai Lama.

Copyright © 2009 AFP

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