BEIJING, March 27 – China warned Europe on Thursday not to interfere with the situation in Tibet ahead of a two-day meeting of foreign ministers from the 27-member European Union.
The unrest and violence in Tibet are China’s internal affairs, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said at a regular news briefing.
Beijing hopes European countries will not send “erroneous messages” to the Dalai Lama, Qin said.
“I believe there are criminals, especially violent criminals, in the European countries. How do the policemen handle these cases in Europe? You can think yourself, so I hope that Europe will not adopt a double standard in this regard,” Qin said.
Protests by Buddhist monks turned violent on March 14 in Tibet’s capital, Lhasa, leading China to heavily increase security in the region and in several provinces with sizable Tibetan populations where protests also broke out.
The Chinese government says 22 people died in the anti-government protests in Lhasa. Tibetan exiles say the violence plus a harsh crackdown afterward left nearly 140 people dead.
European Union foreign ministers were preparing to start a two-day meeting Friday in Slovenia, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency. Various European officials have called for restraint since the violence broke out, suggesting that there may be a discussion or statement about Tibet at the meeting.
While the EU has officially ruled out a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games in August over human rights issues, French President Nicolas Sarkozy suggested Tuesday that a boycott of the opening ceremony due to Tibet was a possibility.
Sarkozy said he told Chinese President Hu Jintao of his concern over Tibet, and asked for restraint and the end of violence through dialogue. Sarkozy also disclosed contacts between his office and that of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who is much vilified by China’s government.
Britain and Germany have also condemned China for using force against Tibetan protesters.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke by telephone last week with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and has said he will meet with the Dalai Lama in May. Brown’s office said he still will attend the closing ceremony of the Olympics as planned.
