Special report: Tibet: Its Past and Present

    BEIJING, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- In a statement issued Thursday, a senior Chinese official urged the Dalai Lama to not support, plot or incite violent criminal activities or propositions aimed at "Tibet Independence."

    Du Qinglin, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks while meeting with the Dalai Lama's private representatives, Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen, during the past few days in Beijing.

    Du said the Dalai Lama should respect history, face reality and conform to the times, as well as fundamentally change his political propositions.

    The Dalai Lama was also urged to respond with sincerity to his commitments made during contacts in July. Those include: not supporting plots to fan violent criminal activities, not supporting and concretely curbing violent terrorist activities of the "Tibetan Youth Congress", and to create favorable conditions for the meetings to make progress.

    Concerning the fundamental issue of safeguarding national unification and territorial integrity, not the slightest wavering or departure would be allowed, Du said, noting that no "Tibet independence," "half independence" or "covert independence" would be tolerated.

    The central government's policy toward the Dalai Lama was consistent and clear. The door for dialogue has always been open, said Du, who is also head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

    Although violent criminal activities such as beating, smashing, looting and burning occurred in Lhasa earlier this year, the central government still arranged three meetings with the Dalai Lama's private representatives, showing the sincerity and generosity of the central government, Du said.

    The official urged the Dalai Lama to make a choice that would be good for the nation, its people and history as well as himself.

    During the meeting, Du briefed the representatives on the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, the successful flight of the manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7, the economic and social development in the Tibet Autonomous Region and the country at large, as well as the quake and snow storm relief efforts in Tibet.

    He said the victory over difficulties and challenges and the new achievements in reform, opening-up and modernization construction should all be attributed to the persistent adherence to the development path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

    The historical trend of China's peaceful development could not be deterred. Tibet becoming more prosperous and progressive in the homeland was also a fact witnessed by all, Du added

    Adherence to the CPC's leadership, the socialist path with Chinese characteristics and the regional autonomy system for ethnic minorities were stipulated in China's Constitution, which were also the most prominent political reality in Tibet, said Du.

    No activities that defy the "three adherences" and defy the Constitution would be tolerated. He stressed that the "three adherences" must be implemented unwaveringly and unswervingly.

    All organizations or individuals must act in accordance with the Constitution, safeguard its dignity and abide by it and the law on the regional autonomy system for ethnic minorities, he added.

    According to Du, while implementing the law on regional autonomy for ethnic minorities, the following principles should be followed:

    -- The interests of the country and the Chinese nation should be put above all else. National unification and ethnic solidarity must be resolutely safeguarded;

    -- The regional ethnic autonomy system is exercised under China's unitary system and is different from the federal system or confederation as implemented in some countries;

    -- The regional ethnic autonomy system is a basic policy for solving ethnic issues in China and a fundamental political system in the country. It is different from the "one country, two systems" system implemented in Hong Kong and Macao;

    -- The regional ethnic autonomy system is a combination of ethnic autonomy and regional autonomy and will never allow ethnic splitting in the name of "true ethnic autonomy" to undermine ethnic solidarity.

    Two deputy heads of the United Front Work Department and a vice chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region also had dialogue with the Dalai Lama's representatives.

    Those officials said the door for the Dalai Lama to return to the patriotic stance had always been open and would remain open in the future. However, the door for "Tibet independence", "half independence" or "covert independence" had never been open, nor would it be open in the future, they warned.

    The representatives also stated their opinions and promised to report faithfully to the Dalai Lama.

    They toured the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Scholars briefed them on the laws, policies and practices concerning China's regional ethnic autonomy system during their stay in Beijing.