Stay Positive in new talks, China tells Dalai Lama

The third meeting with the Dalai Lama’s representatives would be held despite the Lhasa riot in March and some serious disruptions and sabotages to the Beijing Olympic Games by a handful of “Tibet independence” secessionists, the state-run Xinhua news agency said quoting an unnamed government official.

“The Central Authorities hope that the Dalai Lama side could treasure this opportunity and make positive response to the requirements set forth by the Central Authorities in previous talks,” he said, referring to the pre-conditions for the in-camera negotiations.

The talks had already been scheduled for this week, although no time or place has been announced.

The statement came after the 73-year-old Dalai Lama said this week he would only hold talks with China on the future of Tibet if Beijing “honestly” wished to engage in dialogue.

The aging Tibetan spiritual leader said he had “faith and trust” in the Chinese people but his “faith and trust in the Chinese government is diminishing.” Envoys of the Dalai Lama have already held seven rounds of talks with Chinese officials on Tibet’s future as well as on the possible return of Tibet’s top religious figure to his homeland.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

Previously, the two side met on July 1-2 in Beijing. They had met briefly on May 4 in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.

The Tibetan representatives have attended several such meetings with Chinese officials since 2002, with discussions reportedly focusing on the Dalai Lama’s request for greater autonomy for Tibet.