BEIJING, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities said Monday that the door for contacts and talks remains open to the Dalai Lama, but no concessions would be made on issues concerning national sovereignty.
Du Qinglin, head of the United Front Work Department (UFWD) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, had met with Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen, private envoys of the Dalai Lama, in Beijing, said a statement from the department Monday. No exact date was given in the statement.
During the meeting, Du had pointed out that issues concerning China's territory and sovereignty were non-negotiable and no concessions would be made on those issues, the statement said.
Du said the so-called "Greater Tibet" and "high-level autonomy" violated China's Constitution and only if the Dalai Lama completely abandoned such claims, could there be a foundation for contacts and talks.
The contacts and talks would have no progress if the Dalai Lama side continued activities against China and refused to show basic respect and sincerity, said Du, also vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
"Tibetan people cherish peace and stability. It is no use to cheat them and act against their will. 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," the statement quoted Du as saying.
The central government had been consistent and clear in policy concerning the Dalai Lama, Du said. "The door for contacts and talks is open, and the policy has not been changed so far."
