20 October 2005
China opposes Dalai Lama’s US visit
(PTI) China warned the US against allowing Dalai Lama to engage in any 'anti-China' activities during his forthcoming 10-day visit to the US and firmly opposed a planned meeting between the Tibetan spiritual leader and President George W Bush. "The Chinese government firmly opposes the Dalai Lama's anti-China activities in any capacity and in any country. We also oppose that any official of any country invite or meet with the Dalai Lama in any capacity or any form", the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in Beijing. "The Dalai Lama is not merely a religious figure but a political exile in disguise, who has been engaged in activities to split China and undermine ethnic solidarity", a spokesperson said. Despite angry protests from China, Bush had gone ahead and held talks with the Dalai Lama in 2001 following his election as president in his first term. Bush is scheduled to visit Beijing in mid-November. The International Campaign for Tibet has said the Dalai Lama's itinerary during the Washington visit beginning November eight "anticipates likely meetings with US President George W Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and key Congressional leaders".