Dialogue between China and envoys of the Dalai Lama has hit a wall again with Beijing refusing to agree to greater autonomy for Tibetans.
A brief official statement released on Monday in the State-run Chinese media said that ‘issues concerning China’s territory and sovereignty were
non-negotiable and no concessions would be made’’. The statement added that there would be no foundation for talks unless the Dalai Lama gave up demands for ‘high-level autonomy’.
The talks began in 2002 and this was the latest dialogue since November 2008. The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after a failed Tibetan uprising, is campaigning for greater rights for Tibetans.
“Tibetan people cherish peace and stability. It is no use to cheat them and act against their will,’’ the statement quoted Du Qinglin, head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, as saying. “The activities of infiltration and provocation, which are doomed to fail, will only create barriers for the talks and isolate the Dalai Lama and his followers.”
Du also said that the talks would not progress until ‘the Dalai Lama refused to show basic respect and sincerity’.
Dalai’s envoys return
Envoys of Dalai Lama returned from China on Monday after holding ninth round of talks with the country’s representatives to find a solution to the Tibetan issue.
“Right now we are not commenting anything about the talks,” said Lodhi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen, the two envoys of Dalai Lama’s holding talks with China since 2002. “We have waited for 50 years to seek an outcome on Tibet. The media should wait for at least next few hours to get our response,” Lodhi Gyari told a group of select mediapersons at Kangra airport.
(With inputs from Gaurav Bisht, New Delhi)