Dalai’s envoys to hold talks in China

The two special envoys, Lodhi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen, based in Washington and Brussels, have been nominated to hold talks with the Chinese leadership, reports Gaurav Bisht.

After the recent spat between China and the Tibetan leadership, special envoys of exiled Tibetan leader Dalai Lama will travel to China on Saturday to hold consultations with Chinese leaders on the vexed Tibetan issue.

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The two special envoys, Lodhi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen, based in Washington and Brussels, have been nominated to hold talks with the Chinese leadership. “During this brief visit, the envoys will take up the urgent issue of the current crisis in the Tibetan areas,” a statement from the Dalai Lama's office said.

It is reliably learnt the two representatives have already reached Hong Kong. “They (the envoys) will convey the Dalai Lama’s deep concerns about the Chinese authorities’ handling of the situation and also provide suggestions to bring peace to the region.”

Though the official release did not give any details about the visit but highly placed sources told the Hindustan Times that the envoys will meet Executive Vice-Minister of the United Front Work Department (UNFW), Zhu Weiqun. According to the Tibetan officials here, UNFW deals with political parties other than communist.

“Since the Chinese leadership has indicated, publicly as well as in briefings given to foreign governments, its position on the continuation of the dialogue, the envoys will raise the issue of moving forward on the process for a mutually satisfactory solution to the Tibetan issue,” said Chimme R Chhoekyapa, secretary to Dalai Lama in a written statement.