Beijing - Tibetan activists in Beijing demanded Sunday "substantive steps to restore 'normalcy' in Tibet" as a condition for talks between the Chinese leadership and representatives of the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama.

Without a return to normalcy in Tibet, Beijing's offer to talk with the Dalai Lama's private representatives was "nothing more than window-dressing," according to Matt Whitticase of the British advocacy group Free Tibet Campaign.

The offer of talks was "designed to deflect criticism of (Beijing's) actions in Tibet in the run-up to the Olympics."

There have been no details of who will represent China and Tibet in the talks since the offer was made via the official Xinhua news agency on Friday.

""China's vague offer of talks, whilst continuing to peddle its baseless allegations that the Dalai Lama is inciting violence in Tibet, convinces no one that it is sincere in finding a lasting political solution in Tibet," Whitticase said.

Against the background of continuing arrests and troop movements to Tibet, China must convince the world that its offer was sincere, Whitticase said. (dpa)