This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-18445240#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Dalai Lama dismisses China's Leeds Olympic threat | Dalai Lama dismisses China's Leeds Olympic threat |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The Dalai Lama has dismissed as "almost routine" a threat by China to pull its Olympics team out of a training camp in Leeds because of his visit to the city. | The Dalai Lama has dismissed as "almost routine" a threat by China to pull its Olympics team out of a training camp in Leeds because of his visit to the city. |
| The Tibetan spiritual leader's comments came before he addressed the Yorkshire International Business Convention. | The Tibetan spiritual leader's comments came before he addressed the Yorkshire International Business Convention. |
| It is thought Chinese officials asked Leeds City Council to put pressure on the organisers to cancel his visit. | It is thought Chinese officials asked Leeds City Council to put pressure on the organisers to cancel his visit. |
| The 76-year-old Dalai Lama said on Friday: "That is always happening, that is almost like routine." | The 76-year-old Dalai Lama said on Friday: "That is always happening, that is almost like routine." |
| Although the council distanced itself from the business convention, it said it was aware of "sensitivities" around the event at which the Dalai Lama will discuss business ethics. | Although the council distanced itself from the business convention, it said it was aware of "sensitivities" around the event at which the Dalai Lama will discuss business ethics. |
| 'Living god' | 'Living god' |
| Chinese Olympic officials selected Leeds as the country's training base last August. | Chinese Olympic officials selected Leeds as the country's training base last August. |
| Tibet is governed as an autonomous region of China and Beijing claims a centuries-old sovereignty over the Himalayan region. | Tibet is governed as an autonomous region of China and Beijing claims a centuries-old sovereignty over the Himalayan region. |
| But the allegiances of many Tibetans lie with the Dalai Lama, seen by his followers as a living god, but by China as a separatist threat. | But the allegiances of many Tibetans lie with the Dalai Lama, seen by his followers as a living god, but by China as a separatist threat. |
| The BBC's China correspondent Damian Grammaticas said: "This eight-day visit to the UK could put Britain's ties with China under new strain. | The BBC's China correspondent Damian Grammaticas said: "This eight-day visit to the UK could put Britain's ties with China under new strain. |
| "Since the Prime Minister David Cameron met the Dalai Lama in London last month Beijing has frozen diplomatic exchanges with British ministers. | "Since the Prime Minister David Cameron met the Dalai Lama in London last month Beijing has frozen diplomatic exchanges with British ministers. |
| "China's Communist rulers insist Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, a former winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is an enemy of the Chinese state. | "China's Communist rulers insist Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, a former winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, is an enemy of the Chinese state. |
| "He says he only wants to end oppression of Tibetans and win autonomy for his people." | "He says he only wants to end oppression of Tibetans and win autonomy for his people." |
| Leeds is due to host China's pre-Olympic Games training centre, with about 220 athletes, coaches and support staff based in the city from early July. | Leeds is due to host China's pre-Olympic Games training centre, with about 220 athletes, coaches and support staff based in the city from early July. |
| 'Wonderful opportunity' | 'Wonderful opportunity' |
| Leeds City Council said the hosting deal was worth £250,000. | Leeds City Council said the hosting deal was worth £250,000. |
| The Dalai Lama is the latest high-profile guest at the Yorkshire International Business Convention. | The Dalai Lama is the latest high-profile guest at the Yorkshire International Business Convention. |
| Mike Firth, convention founder, said: "He is one of the most travelled men in the world, he has spoken with the most prominent of world leaders, and is one of the most high-profile guests we have ever had." | Mike Firth, convention founder, said: "He is one of the most travelled men in the world, he has spoken with the most prominent of world leaders, and is one of the most high-profile guests we have ever had." |
| Previous speakers have included astronaut Neil Armstrong, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former US President Bill Clinton. | Previous speakers have included astronaut Neil Armstrong, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former US President Bill Clinton. |
| Mr Thubten Samdup, representative of the Dalai Lama, said the speech was "a wonderful opportunity for Yorkshire's business leaders to hear a distinctive message of ethics and morality from one of the world's most revered spiritual leaders". | Mr Thubten Samdup, representative of the Dalai Lama, said the speech was "a wonderful opportunity for Yorkshire's business leaders to hear a distinctive message of ethics and morality from one of the world's most revered spiritual leaders". |
| His Leeds visit is part of an eight-day tour of the UK. | His Leeds visit is part of an eight-day tour of the UK. |
| The Dalai Lama will appear with actor and comedian Russell Brand at a youth event at the MEN Arena in Manchester on Saturday. | The Dalai Lama will appear with actor and comedian Russell Brand at a youth event at the MEN Arena in Manchester on Saturday. |