China backs off from compromise, but says talks with Dalai Lama aides will continue

New Delhi, Dalai LamaMay 5: China has doused any hopes of a compromise with the Dalai Lama on the Tibet autonomy issue by releasing a series of statements denouncing the Tibetan spiritual leader.

"The plot of the Tibetan independence and international anti-China forces will never succeed," the official Tibet Daily editorialised.

"Patriotic people of Tibet strongly condemn and vehemently denounce the litany of crimes committed by the 14th Dalai Lama and his followers," The Australian quoted the daily as saying further.

The Dalai Lama spoke last month of his call for "real autonomy" for greater Tibet, a region including Tibetan-populated areas of provinces bordering China's "special autonomous region" of Tibet itself.

But the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile, Samdhong Rinpoche, said: "We don't have much high expectations. Nevertheless, we are happy consultations are taking place."

He said the Shenzhen meeting comprised only an informal consultation, not a seventh full round of negotiations.

Talks between the Chinese Government and private representatives of the Tibetan spiritual l leader, the Dalai Lama, will continue. This was decided after a meeting on Sunday in Shenzen.

Talks were held between Chinese officials Zhu Weiqun and Sitarand the Dalai Lama's two private representatives, Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen.

Zhu and Sitar patiently answered the questions raised by the two representatives and Xinhua reported that they exchanged views with them on future contacts and consultations.

Zhu and Sitar pointed out that the riots in Lhasa on March 14 had given rise to new obstacles for resuming contact and consultations with the Dalai side. However, the central government still arranged the meeting with great patience and sincerity, they said.

Earlier on Sunday, President Hu Jintao said in Beijing that he hoped the Shenzhen meeting could yield "positive results". (ANI)

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