Beijing, June 12 – China today ruled out any concessions to the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama but hoped that the just-concluded visit to the country by his envoys would help him make the “correct choice” on the vexed Tibet issue.
“Our policy towards the Dalai Lama is consistent and clear without any change,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Kong Quan, said while briefing the outcome of the just concluded visit by two personal envoys of the Dalai Lama, who have since returned to India.
In the past, China has said “only when the Dalai Lama really abandons his support for ‘Tibetan independence’, stops separatist activities aimed at splitting China, we will contact and negotiate with him.”
A four-member team led by special envoy, Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari, visited China for two weeks. It is the second direct contact between Beijing and the Dalai Lama’s representatives since last September.
Kong said the recent visit of the Dalai’s associates shows that the Chinese government has various channels to talk to the Dalai Lama.
Kong said the visit of the Tibetan compatriots would enhance their understanding of the development in China and in Tibet and also the efforts of the Chinese Central Government in the remote Himalayan region.
“The visit will also be conducive for the Dalai Lama to see the situation and make the correct choice,” Kong said, adding “it is our policy to approve the Tibetan compatriots residing overseas to come back for visit and seeing their relatives. It is normal for them to come back.”
