Sanya: Chinese President Hu Jintao said here on Saturday that the Tibet problem is entirely an internal issue of China.

"Our conflict with the Dalai clique is not an ethnic problem, not a religious problem, nor a human rights problem. It is a problem either to safeguard national unification or split the motherland," Hu said.

He made the remarks while meeting visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in Sanya city of Hainan Province in southern China.

He said the recent violence in Lhasa, capital of Tibet, was not "peaceful demonstrations" or "non-violent" actions, as proclaimed by some people, but violent crimes.

"No responsible government will sit idle for such crimes, which gravely encroach human rights, disrupt social order and jeopardise life and property of the masses," Hu said.

He said the door for dialogue between the central government and the Dalai Lama is open.

"The barrier to talks does not lie on our side, but on the side of the Dalai Lama. If the Dalai Lama has sincerity, he should put it into action."

"As long as the Dalai side stops activities of splitting the motherland, stops instigating violence, and stops sabotaging the Beijing Olympic Games, we are ready to continue talks with him at any time," Hu said.

Rudd said Australia fully recognises China's sovereignty over Tibet and Taiwan. The one-China policy adopted by Australia remains unchanged.

He said Australia hopes to become a sincere friend of China. The development of long-term, friendly and cooperative ties with China is a long-term strategy of Australia. Rudd also wished the Beijing Olympic Games a success.

The Australian premier is in China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Rudd will attend the opening ceremony of the annual meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia on Saturday, in Boao in Hainan Province

Source : IANS