Beijing: As the Dalai Lama prepared to hold the biggest conclave of exiled Tibetans in nearly six decades in Dharamshala, China today asked India to honour its promise of not allowing any separatist activities from its soil against the Communist state.
Dismissing as meaningless the November 17-22 meeting of exiled Tibetans at the seat of the Dalai Lama s Tibetan government-in-exile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Beijing expects India to honour its promise not to permit activities "aimed at splitting Chinese territory."
"The Indian government has made solemn commitments on several occasions that (it) does not allow any activities on its soil aimed at dividing (China)," Qin said.
"We hope that this commitment can be fulfilled," he said while responding to a question on the upcoming meeting at a biweekly press briefing.
In the wake of repeated failures to find a solution to the vexed Tibet issue during talks with China, the 73-year-old Dalai Lama has convened a six-day meeting to determine the future direction of his quest for "genuine autonomy" for his Himalayan homeland under Chinese sovereignty.
But Qin claimed the upcoming meeting was aimed at achieving Tibet s independence from Chinese rule. "The Chinese government is solemnly against any international activities aimed at splitting China, he said.
"Any attempt to plan or be involved in this meeting cannot represent the vast majority of the Tibetan people and their attempt will get nowhere," he said.
The meeting called by the Dalai Lama is expected to decide on the future of Tibet and floundering negotiations with Beijing.
Great importance is being attached to the meeting as this is only the third occasion after 1951 and 1959 that such a conclave of Tibetans will be held.
