Beijing: China today asked the Dalai Lama to make "positive" responses and treasure the opportunity of a new round of talks on the vexed Tibet issue here soon.
"Relevant departments of the Central Authorities of China will arrange another round of contacts and negotiation with the private representatives of the Tibetan leader "in the near future" at the request of the Dalai Lama's side, it said.
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."
