U.S. Canada And Britain Wecome China-Tibet Talks: Hope For Positive Results

The Obama Administration on Tuesday welcomed the ninth round of meeting between the Special Envoy of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Chinese authorities in Beijing and hoped that it will provide positive results. "The Administration hopes this meeting will produce positive results and provide a foundation for future discussions to resolve outstanding issues," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley said in a statement.

"The United States was pleased to learn that the Dalai Lama's Special Envoys arrived today in China for their ninth round of meetings with Chinese officials," he said.

"The United States strongly supports dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama's representatives to address longstanding differences," Crowley added.

Britain welcomed Monday the resumption of talks between China and the Dalai Lama, expressing hope that progress could be made towards "meaningful autonomy" for Tibet. Britain's junior foreign office minister Ivan Lewis, who made the first ever trip to Tibet by a British government member in September, welcomed the news.

"I urge both sides to enter these talks in good faith and to make progress towards meaningful autonomy for Tibet," Lewis said.

"Peaceful dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lamas representatives is the only way to bring about a lasting and peaceful solution to the problems in Tibet. "I made this clear during my own visit to Tibet and Beijing last year."

The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, tuesday issued the following statement welcoming the first meeting in 15 months between representatives of the Chinese government and of the Dalai Lama. “Canada has consistently advocated substantive dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama or his representatives. I urge the two sides to approach this new round of talks with a commitment to serious and meaningful dialogue aimed at resolving outstanding issues in a manner acceptable to both.

“The Government of Canada attaches a great deal of importance to the treatment of ethnic Tibetans in China, and to their ability to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association, spiritual belief and peaceful protest.”

A White House spokesperson also has confirmed on 23 January that President Obama "most certainly" will meet the Dalai Lama this year, and that this has been conveyed to Beijing. White House spokesman Mike Hammer told foreign journalists: "The President has made clear to the Chinese government that we intend to meet with the Dalai Lama, it has been his every intention."