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Tibetans irritated by China talks | Tibetans irritated by China talks |
(40 minutes later) | |
Tibetan exiles are losing patience with Beijing over the pace of talks on the future of the Himalayan region. | Tibetan exiles are losing patience with Beijing over the pace of talks on the future of the Himalayan region. |
Chinese officials and envoys from the Tibetan government-in-exile are currently engaged in talks that were due to end on Wednesday. | Chinese officials and envoys from the Tibetan government-in-exile are currently engaged in talks that were due to end on Wednesday. |
But the Tibetan side has criticised what it sees as China's unwillingness to engage in meaningful discussions. | But the Tibetan side has criticised what it sees as China's unwillingness to engage in meaningful discussions. |
In response, China launched a scathing attack on the Dalai Lama, who has expressed doubt about the talks. | In response, China launched a scathing attack on the Dalai Lama, who has expressed doubt about the talks. |
The frustration with the talks comes as the Chinese government announced a total of 55 people have been sentenced in connection with the unrest in Lhasa in March. | The frustration with the talks comes as the Chinese government announced a total of 55 people have been sentenced in connection with the unrest in Lhasa in March. |
The current round of discussions is the third time the two sides have met since the unrest in China's Tibetan areas. | |
Neither side has been willing to comment on the talks while they are still taking place. | Neither side has been willing to comment on the talks while they are still taking place. |
Critical moment | Critical moment |
"There is a limit to the patience of the Tibetan people," said Thubten Samphel, spokesman for the government-in-exile, based in Dharamsala, India. | "There is a limit to the patience of the Tibetan people," said Thubten Samphel, spokesman for the government-in-exile, based in Dharamsala, India. |
He added that these talks were "critical". | |
Some analysts say the Tibetans could pull out of the discussion process if there is no progress. | Some analysts say the Tibetans could pull out of the discussion process if there is no progress. |
"We certainly hope there is a positive and open-minded response from the Chinese," said the Tibetan spokesman, referring to the current talks. | "We certainly hope there is a positive and open-minded response from the Chinese," said the Tibetan spokesman, referring to the current talks. |
But there is a wide gulf between the Chinese and the Tibetans. | But there is a wide gulf between the Chinese and the Tibetans. |
At the last talks, held in July, the two sides could not even agree to issue a joint statement expressing their commitment to the discussion process. | At the last talks, held in July, the two sides could not even agree to issue a joint statement expressing their commitment to the discussion process. |
'Worsening problems' | 'Worsening problems' |
The Dalai Lama, head of the government-in-exile as well as Tibetan Buddhism's spiritual leader, has also expressed his concerns. | The Dalai Lama, head of the government-in-exile as well as Tibetan Buddhism's spiritual leader, has also expressed his concerns. |
Last month, he said the Chinese government did not seem interested in seriously tackling the problems in Tibet, which he believes are getting worse. | Last month, he said the Chinese government did not seem interested in seriously tackling the problems in Tibet, which he believes are getting worse. |
He made similar comments on a trip to Japan this week, words that led to anger in China. | He made similar comments on a trip to Japan this week, words that led to anger in China. |
In a commentary piece published by the state-run Xinhua news agency on Tuesday, China said the Dalai Lama had adopted a "pathetic posture" to gain public attention. | In a commentary piece published by the state-run Xinhua news agency on Tuesday, China said the Dalai Lama had adopted a "pathetic posture" to gain public attention. |
"His 'disappointment' also showed his reluctance to give up his stance to seek 'Tibetan independence'," the commentary added. | "His 'disappointment' also showed his reluctance to give up his stance to seek 'Tibetan independence'," the commentary added. |
Such comments suggest it is unlikely that there will be any real progress during these current talks. | Such comments suggest it is unlikely that there will be any real progress during these current talks. |
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