Dharamsala, March 13 – China today repeated what the Dalai Lama during a press conference on March 10 called a “mantra”, referring to the repetitive accusations by China against him being a “separatist” engaging in activities splitting the mother land.
The 73 year old Tibetan leader jokingly said at a press conference after the official function to mark 50 years of uprising against Chinese rule on Tuesday, “My mantra, autonomy, autonomy, their mantra, separatist, separatist”.
China today repeated its position that its doors for talks with the Dalai Lama’s representative are always open if he ceases his “separate activities”.
“As long as he abandons separatist activities, we are willing to carry out consultations with his representatives. This door is always open,” Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said today at a news conference at the end of China’s annual parliamentary session, repeating a charge that the Tibetan leader has long denied.
China continues to accuse the Dalai Lama of engaging in “separatist” activities for Tibet’s independence but without evidence.
The Tibetan leader, however, has categorically been denying the charges, saying he only wants genuine autonomy for Tibet to preserve the Tibetan culture and religion.
Samdhong Rinpoche, the exile Tibetan government’s prime minister whom the Dalai Lama calls his boss on political matters, told reporters Wednesday that his side is committed to the middle way policy to seek genuine autonomy for Tibet, and is always ready for talks if Beijing is willing.
