Chinese officials 'will meet with Dalai Lama representative'
The Olympic torch relay has been blighted by pro-Tibet protests
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Friday, 25, Apr 2008 10:48
Chinese government officials are to hold talks with a representative of the Dalai Lama on Tibet, according to China's state news agency.
Xinhua said the meeting with a private representative of the Dalai Lama would take place in the next few days.
The breakthrough comes after protests in Tibet, crushed by a Chinese crackdown in March, prompted demonstrations around the world during the relay of the Olympic torch.
Today the torch arrived in Nagano in Japan, where pro-Tibet protests are again expected to dominate headlines in the run-up to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Analysts say the Chinese government's announcement is a significant step towards placating the growing wave of international criticism over China's treatment of Tibet.
"In view of the requests repeatedly made by the Dalai side for resuming talks, the relevant department of the central government will have contact and consultation with Dalai's private representative in the coming days," Xinhua quoted an official as saying.
"It is hoped that through contact and consultation, the Dalai side will take credible moves to stop activities aimed at splitting China, stop plotting and inciting violence and stop disrupting and sabotaging the Beijing Olympic Games so as to create conditions for talks."
Yesterday the Dalai Lama called on ordinary Chinese people to join calls "for an immediate end to the ongoing brutal crackdown" on Tibet.
"I do not believe that repressive measures can achieve any long-term solution," the message published on his website said.
"The best way forward is to resolve the issues between the Tibetans and the Chinese leadership through dialogue, as I have been advocating for a long time."