| The central government has urged the | | | | region, too, has seen economic |
| Dalai Lama to take concrete steps to | | | | development and better living standards |
| show he is against views and activities | | | | with sensible use of resources and |
| seeking "Tibet independence" before | | | | without harming the environment, Du |
| another round of talks with his | | | | said. |
| representatives can be held. | | | | "The central government will continue to |
| Du Qinglin, head of the United Front | | | | support the region's economic and social |
| Work Department of the Communist Party | | | | development and work toward improving |
| of China (CPC) Central Committee, | | | | the living standards of the people in |
| recently met with two Dalai Lama | | | | Tibet," he said. |
| representatives, Lodi Gyari and Kelsang | | | | Zhu Weiqun and Sitar, two deputy heads |
| Gyaltsen. | | | | of the department, also met with the |
| "The door of dialogue is always open," | | | | Dalai Lama's representatives. |
| said Du, who is also the vice-chairman | | | | According to the department's statement, |
| of the Chinese People's Political | | | | the Dalai Lama's representatives said |
| Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National | | | | they would report the developments to |
| Committee. | | | | him. During their stay in Beijing, the |
| "The Dalai Lama should openly and | | | | two visited the Olympic Games' stadiums |
| explicitly promise not to support | | | | and talked with some Tibetologists too. |
| activities to disturb the Beijing | | | | It was the highest-level meeting since |
| Olympic Games and plots to fan violence, | | | | talks resumed between the central |
| and justify his words with his actions. | | | | government and the Dalai Lama in 2002 |
| "He should also take steps to show he | | | | and the second closed-door dialogue |
| does not support the violent terrorist | | | | after the Lhasa riots in March. |
| activities of the 'Tibetan Youth | | | | "The frequent meetings between the two |
| Congress', and should help curb them," | | | | sides show the consistent sincerity of |
| he said. | | | | the central government in addressing the |
| The department in charge of ethnic | | | | issue," said Hu Yan, head of the |
| minorities and religious affairs has | | | | ethno-religion section of the social |
| said a new round of talks can be held at | | | | development institute under the CPC |
| the end of the year if the Dalai Lama | | | | Central Committee's Party School. |
| shows "positive behavior". | | | | "The Dalai Lama's representatives should |
| The central government's policy toward | | | | stop bargaining and seize the chance if |
| the Dalai Lama is consistent and | | | | they are sincere and want to make a |
| explicit, said a statement issued by the | | | | progress in the talks," Hu said. |
| department on Thursday. | | | | The meeting this week follow informal |
| The country is celebrating the 30th | | | | talks held in early May in the southern |
| anniversary of its reform and opening | | | | city of Shenzhen that ended with an |
| up, during which the Tibet autonomous | | | | agreement on future discussions. |