Chinese FM: Dalai Lama issue not a religious or ethnic issue

Source: Xinhua | 03-12-2008 10:57

BEIJING, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The Dalai Lama issue is not a religious or ethnic issue, but one concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Wednesday.

"More and more European countries have realized this," Yang said while evaluating the Sino-European relations at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of China's parliament, the National People's Congress.

Germany openly recognized recently that Tibet is an inalienable part of China, and said it would not support any attempt of the Dalai Lama to seek "Tibet independence," Yang said.

More and more countries have realized that the Dalai Lama's conspiracy to split Tibet from China and his secessionist attempt is doomed to fail, he said.

Qin Gang, Foreign Ministry spokesman, on Tuesday also urged the Dalai Lama to drop attempts toward "Tibet independence," but to take concrete actions to do more good for the Tibetans.

"The Dalai clique repeatedly talks about Tibetan culture and the environment being ruined. But in fact, the Tibetan society, economy and culture have prospered," Qin said while responding to press questions about recent remarks on Tibet's development by the Dalai Lama.

"The only thing destroyed was the cruel and dark serfdom rule, which the Dalai clique wanted to restore," he said.

Qin said the Central Government has enhanced support for the autonomous region. The achievement Tibet has scored in economic development, social stability and harmony among different religions and ethnics are there for all to see.

"I hope the Dalai (Lama) could face squarely the reality and history, discern the situation and do more good to the Tibetans with concrete actions in his remaining years," Qin said.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei