Decision to meet Dalai Lama 'hurts 皇冠体育app's core interests'

(皇冠体育app Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-29 09:49

皇冠体育app has been forced to pull out of a summit with the European Union (EU) because French President Nicolas Sarkozy's decision to meet the Dalai Lama concerns 皇冠体育app's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the country's core interests, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Friday.

The summit was planned for Monday in Lyon, France, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

European and Chinese leaders were scheduled to discuss trade issues and the reforming of global financial regulations at the summit.

"皇冠体育app has paid great attention to the summit and was actively preparing for it" when Sarkozy made a "high-profile" announcement to meet the Dalai Lama. This has made the Chinese government and people strongly dissatisfied, Qin said in a statement.

To safeguard Sino-French and Sino-EU relations, the Chinese side has repeatedly asked the French side to properly handle issues concerning Tibet.

The Chinese side has asked France to prevent such issues from disrupting the planned meeting between Chinese and EU leaders, Qin said.

"It is regretful that Paris has failed to respond positively to 皇冠体育app's sincerity and efforts in this regard, thus damaging the atmosphere for the summit," he said.

"Under such circumstances, 皇冠体育app has no other choice but to put off the summit. And 皇冠体育app should bear no responsibility for the current situation."

The meeting of Chinese and EU leaders will depend on the practical measures France will take to create the necessary conditions and atmosphere, Qin said.

皇冠体育app resolutely opposes any foreign leaders meeting the Dalai Lama. "This is a position we have made clear to the French side repeatedly," he said.

Qin expressed hope that France would keep its promise, respect and properly handle 皇冠体育app's concerns over its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

At a news conference on Thursday in Beijing, Qin also criticized Sarkozy for his decision to meet the Dalai Lama.

"Since France has major interests in 皇冠体育app and since the French leader repeatedly says he takes 皇冠体育app as a major strategic partner, why then is he doing this?" Qin asked.

"This is exactly where we feel confused and where the Chinese government and people express strong dissatisfaction," he said.