Dalai by no means a religious figure, but a political one: Chinese FM_English

NPC, CPPCC Annual Sessions 2009

Special Report: Focus on Tibet

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi speaks a the press held by the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, March 7, 2009.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi answers questions during a press conference held by the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, March 7, 2009. (Xinhua Photo) Full coverage
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BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The Dalai Lama is "by no means a religious figure, but a political figure," Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said here Saturday.

The Dalai Lama and his followers insist to establish the so-called "Greater Tibet" on one quarter of the Chinese territory. They want to drive away the Chinese armed forces deployed on the latter's own territory, and all the Chinese people of other ethnic groups who have been living in Tibet for generations, Yang told a press conference on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session.

"Do you call such a person a religious figure?" he asked.

"Shall German, France or any other country accept the separation of one quarter of their territory," asked Yang.

"Please keep in mind that China has supported the reunification of German (after the cold war)."

The difference between China and Dalai Lama has nothing to do with religion, human rights, ethnic relations and culture. It is an issue of whether to defend China's unity against attempts to separate Tibet from China, he said.

"Other countries should not allow Dalai to visit and should not let him use their territory to engage in secessionist activities."

"It's not a matter of doing a favor to China, but rather an obligation under the basic principals of international relations, "he said, adding it is the wish of China that other countries should respect the principals of international relations, respect international laws, respect China's Constitution and its law on autonomy in ethnic regions.

He said cause for the postponed meeting between China and European leaders last year was not on the Chinese side.

The upcoming meeting between China and European leaders in the first half of this year was made possible not only by a Czech proposal, but rather a result of discussion during Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the European Union headquarters last month," he said.

"It's not a big problem to decide the date of meeting."

Dalai ineligible to talk about human rights

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- As the most unstable element for Tibet and representative of serf owners, the Dalai Lama is not qualified for talking about human rights, said a senior official here Friday afternoon.

"There is no historical evidence or present ground for the so called 'Greater Tibet' and 'high degree of autonomy', which are also against the will of the Tibetan people," Qiangba Puncog, chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region, told a press conference on sideline with the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC).

Dalai Lama is not qualified for talking about human rights

Dalai Lama group's sabotage biggest obstacle to Tibet's development

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Sabotage from the Dalai Lama group remains the biggest obstacle in the way of Tibet's development, Lhasa Mayor Doje Cezhug said Friday.

Doje made the remarks at a panel discussion of lawmakers from Tibet.

China says door for talks open to Dalai Lama

BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- China on Tuesday reiterated that its policy on the Dalai Lama was consistent and clear, saying the door for talks remains open.

"As an effort to accommodate the requests of the Dalai Lama, the Chinese central government held three rounds of talks with private envoys of the Dalai Lama last year," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told the regular briefing.