Do More With Reuters
Partner Services

RPT-China, Dalai Lama aides agree to further contact

Mon May 5, 2008 9:27am IST
 
Email | Print | | Single Page
[-] Text [+]

By John Ruwitch

SHENZHEN, China, May 5 (Reuters) - Envoys of the Dalai Lama and Chinese officials have agreed to further contact after a day of talks aimed at mending fences amid a wave of unrest pushed Tibet to centre stage ahead of the 2008 Olympics.

The closed-door meeting on Sunday in the southern city of Shenzhen, near Hong Kong, was the first since an anti-Beijing riot in Lhasa and unrest rocked Tibet and nearby areas in March.

The Tibetan riots and protests, which China blames on the Dalai Lama, were the most serious challenge to Chinese rule in the mountainous region for nearly two decades.

They prompted anti-China protests that disrupted the international leg of the Olympic torch relay and led to calls to boycott August's Beijing Games, which in turn triggered counter-protests by Chinese fiercely proud of holding the Games.

"Chinese central government officials and the private representatives of the 14th Dalai Lama agreed to hold another round of contact at an appropriate time," Xinhua news agency said late on Sunday.

State media quoted the Chinese officials attending the talks as saying the unrest added new "obstacles", a sign that contact between the two sides, already fraught with mistrust, was likely to get even more difficult.

There was no clear word that the talks had ended, but security was loosened on Monday at the guest house where they were believed to have taken place, and the hotel which had said it was booked full was taking reservations.

Tenzin Taklha, a senior aide to the Dalai Lama, had said the talks were expected to continue on Monday and possibly Tuesday.  Continued...

special coverage

Budget 2009
Budget 2009

The government presents the budget for the full fiscal year 2009/10 on July 6.  Full Coverage 

Market Update

  • IndiaIndia
  • USUS
  • UKUK
  • Asia
  • Most Actives

SHOWCASE

Photo
Is the budget over-rated for personal finance?

Expectations are high given the outcome in the general elections.  Commentary 

 
Nilekani: Infosys' loss or govt’s gain?
Nilekani: Infosys' loss or govt’s gain?

Nandan Nilekani has resigned from the Infosys board to join the government.  Commentary | Slideshow 

 
Launched

Tata Motors announced the launch of Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles in India.  Slideshow | Video 

 
Satyam
The new Satyam

Stay updated with the developments at Satyam.  Full Coverage 

 
M&A Review
M&A Review

A review of mergers and acquisitions.  Full Coverage 

 
Financial Turmoil Timeline
Financial Turmoil Timeline

A round-up of measures taken by the U.S Federal Reserve since June 2007 to tackle the financial crisis.  Full Coverage