This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7750175.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Tibet row puts off China-EU talks | Tibet row puts off China-EU talks |
(19 minutes later) | |
China has postponed a summit with the EU - planned for 1 December - because of European contacts with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. | |
EU diplomats say China has been angered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy's plans to meet the Dalai Lama. France holds the EU's rotating presidency. | EU diplomats say China has been angered by French President Nicolas Sarkozy's plans to meet the Dalai Lama. France holds the EU's rotating presidency. |
Mr Sarkozy has said he will meet the Dalai Lama in Poland on 6 December. | Mr Sarkozy has said he will meet the Dalai Lama in Poland on 6 December. |
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said "we oppose any foreign leaders having any contact with the Dalai". | A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said "we oppose any foreign leaders having any contact with the Dalai". |
The spokesman, Qin Gang, was speaking to reporters in Beijing on Tuesday. The Chinese government has previously said Mr Sarkozy risks losing "hard-won" gains in ties with Beijing if he meets the Dalai Lama. | The spokesman, Qin Gang, was speaking to reporters in Beijing on Tuesday. The Chinese government has previously said Mr Sarkozy risks losing "hard-won" gains in ties with Beijing if he meets the Dalai Lama. |
China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao was set to attend the summit in Lyons next Monday. | |
An EU statement on Wednesday said "the European Union, which set ambitious aims for the 11th EU-China summit, takes note and regrets this decision by China [to postpone it]". | |
It said the Chinese authorities explained their decision by pointing out that "at the same time the Dalai Lama would be paying a fresh visit to several EU countries and would meet heads of state and government of EU member states, as well as heads of European institutions". | |
The EU plans to continue to "promote the strategic partnership it has with China, particularly at a time when the world economic and financial situation calls for close co-operation between Europe and China", the EU statement added. | |
Territorial dispute | Territorial dispute |
The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959, after Chinese troops had crushed an uprising by pro-independence Tibetans. | The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959, after Chinese troops had crushed an uprising by pro-independence Tibetans. |
Beijing says Tibet has been part of the Chinese nation since the 13th Century. | Beijing says Tibet has been part of the Chinese nation since the 13th Century. |
Many Tibetans disagree, pointing out that the Himalayan region was an independent kingdom for many centuries, and that Chinese rule over Tibet has not been constant. | Many Tibetans disagree, pointing out that the Himalayan region was an independent kingdom for many centuries, and that Chinese rule over Tibet has not been constant. |
Mr Sarkozy has said he plans to meet the Dalai Lama in the city of Gdansk on 6 December, where Poland will mark the 25th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Lech Walesa, who led the anti-communist Solidarity union in the 1980s. | Mr Sarkozy has said he plans to meet the Dalai Lama in the city of Gdansk on 6 December, where Poland will mark the 25th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Lech Walesa, who led the anti-communist Solidarity union in the 1980s. |
A French diplomat confirmed that Mr Sarkozy still intended to meet the Dalai Lama in Poland next week, the BBC's Oana Lungescu reports from Brussels. | A French diplomat confirmed that Mr Sarkozy still intended to meet the Dalai Lama in Poland next week, the BBC's Oana Lungescu reports from Brussels. |
During a trip to France this summer, the Dalai Lama met Mr Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni and the foreign minister Bernard Kouchner. | During a trip to France this summer, the Dalai Lama met Mr Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni and the foreign minister Bernard Kouchner. |
Earlier this year the EU voiced serious concern about a crackdown by Chinese authorities on Tibetan protesters. | Earlier this year the EU voiced serious concern about a crackdown by Chinese authorities on Tibetan protesters. |