|
BEIJING - CHINA heaped more criticism on the 'Dalai clique' yesterday and hailed protesters against Tibetan self-rule as patriots, suggesting it is not prepared to give ground in talks proposed for coming days.
The 'Dalai clique' is a term used by Beijing to refer to the Dalai Lama's followers and Tibet's government-in-exile, blamed by Chinese officials for the recent unrest.
But after a Western diplomatic chorus urging dialogue with the Dalai Lama, China abruptly announced last Friday that it intended to meet his aide in the next few days.
Yet the undimmed criticism in Chinese official media suggests it will treat any talks as a chance to amplify opposition to the Dalai Lama's calls for 'meaningful autonomy', which Beijing says amounts to outright independence.
'The Dalai clique has always been masters at games with words and the ideas that they have tossed about truly make the head spin,' the Communist Party mouthpiece, People's Daily, said.
'Questions of sovereignty are beyond debate and splitting China is sure to fail,' the commentary said.
It instead praised Chinese demonstrators who opposed pro-Tibet independence protests that have disrupted the global Olympic torch relay.
'Those who follow national unity are national heroes, and those who split the nation are criminals,' it said.
A member of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, Mr Khedroob Thondup, said yesterday there had been 'no official contact as yet' on the talks, which he called a ruse.
'This announcement is only to deflect pressure and gives false assurance to Western leaders,' he said.
A spokesman for the Dalai Lama also said yesterday that talks would be pointless unless Beijing was 'serious' about finding a solution to the Tibetan issue, echoing a warning by the Dalai Lama on Saturday that it would be futile if the talks turn out to be only a public relations exercise by China with no real dialogue.
There have been six rounds of dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama's envoys since 2002 with no breakthroughs.
The spokesman added there was an urgent need to reopen contacts as he said China had escalated its crackdown in the Tibetan region.
'Army troops are surrounding monasteries and arrests are going on,' he said.
The proposed talks have also drawn criticism from some Chinese people, who called it a sign of weakness before Western pressure.
'Whoever negotiates with the DL is a traitor selling out the country,' said one comment on popular Chinese website Tianya, referring to the Dalai Lama.
'Where is the government's public credibility if it flip-flops like this?' said a commentator on a widely-read Chinese blog.
But Chinese President Hu Jintao feels confident enough of his authority to not be frightened by nationalist criticism, said former senior government adviser Wu Jiaxiang.
'The talks may not produce anything substantial, but talking in itself could help heal some of the wounds from the past weeks,' he added.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
| 
