Premier Wen: Open to talk with Dalai Lama

Source: Xinhua | 03-31-2008 18:36

The channels for dialogue between the Chinese government and Dalai Lama is always open, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Sunday.

As long as Dalai Lama abandons the claim for "Tibet independence," especially uses his influence to stop the violence in Tibet, and recognize both Tibet and Taiwan as inseparable parts of China, the Chinese government is to continue resuming dialogues with him, the Chinese premier said.

The premier arrived here Saturday for a working visit to Laos and to attend the Third Greater Mekong Subregion Summit scheduled for Monday.

Wen said what happened in Tibet is against the Chinese laws. The looting, attacks and arsons are violent crimes that have jeopardized the fundamental interests of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups including the Tibetan compatriots.

The premier urged foreign governments and media to view this incident in an objective and impartial manner.

He also said that social order had been restored in Tibet, reaffirming that "the Chinese government is capable of resolving its own problems."

It is known to all that significant economic and social progress has been made over the past years in Tibet, Wen said.

He pledged government's continued adherence to the system of regional autonomy for ethnic minorities, and its support for the development of Tibet's economy and its social welfare. The Chinese government will continue to protect, within the framework of the constitution and laws, people's religious beliefs and protect the cultural and ecological environment of Tibet, Wen added.

Editor:Du Xiaodan