Xinhuanet on 6 July: China's Central Unification Ministry official has taken an interview with Xinhua news agency on the last talks with private representatives of Dalai Lama, Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen, held in Beijing 1-2 July.
An important distinction between this round of talks and previous ones is that this round has been held in Beijing ,the center of gravity in Chinese politics. Mr. Du Qinglin, the deputy chairman of China's Political Consultative Conference met the two representatives of Dalai Lama. This has been the highest level of talks between the two parties since 2002.
The two sides still have major differences of views. However, the talks have been described as candid and relaxed in atmosphere.
The official has stated that the following important progress has been achieved this time during the talks: Mr. Du has raised the demand of "four points of not support" on behalf of the Chinese central government for the Dalai Lama side, i.e. if Dalai Lama sincerely wishes to make a useful contribution to the Chinese state, the nation and Tibetan people during his lifetime, he should publicly and clearly commit with action that he does not support actions of disturbances and sabotage of Beijing Olympics, does not support planning and flaming criminal violent activities, does not support and effectively constrain violent and terrorist activities by the Tibetan Youth Congress, does not support any claim and activity pursuing "Tibetan independence" or splitting the motherland. The two representatives of Dalai Lama stated during the talks that this is a new spirit of the Central government and expressed to accept the demand from the Central government. The official said elaboration of the demand and the acceptance by Dalai Lama's side of the demand is an important progress achieved so far.
The two sides have agreed to meet again in October 2008.
However, it has been reported by Washington Post that the Tibetans in exile are disappointed with the talks. "We had hoped that the Chinese leadership would reciprocate our efforts by taking tangible steps during this round. On the contrary, due to their excessive concern about legitimacy, the Chinese side even failed to agree to our proposal of issuing a joint statement with the aim of committing both parties to the dialogue process," the envoys, Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen, said in a statement issued in Dharmsala.
Author comments:
1. There are indications that the current stage is set for the two sides to gauge each other's sincerity to resolve the issue. If the Dalai Lama side would honour its commitment to meet the Chinese central government demand, the latter will likely take further steps to move ahead with real substantial talks. If not, the next few months will be an opportunity lost.
2. On the one hand, Dalai Lama claims not to seek Tibet independence but real autonomy, which means he has to rebuild confidence and trust with the Chinese central leadership to achieve his aim. On the other hand,however, Dalai Lama still tries to act like a sovereign "king of Tibet" and relies on the Western powers to impose his views on his boss. In real life, he has nothing but some religious influence and some political utility for the West to exert pressure on China.
3. Any belief that external pressure on Chinese central government to give in to unrealist demands of Tibetans in exile before Beijing Olympics is illusory. Western pressure can backfire as it is seen as interference in China's internal affairs.