Dalai Lama's UK visit sparks diplomatic row

Author: AFP
Publication: The Times of India
Date: May 23, 2004
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/692817.cms

China has threatened to strip Liverpool of its twin city status with Shanghai if officials from the British city meet exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama next week, a report said on Sunday.
 
A diplomatic row has broken out between Beijing and London over the visit of the 68-year-old Nobel laureate, with China trying some distinctly strong- arm tactics, the Observer newspaper said.
 
Among these is an ultimatum from the Chinese embassy in London to Liverpool City Council to cancel meetings with the Dalai Lama or lose its links with Shanghai , China 's commercial capital and, like Liverpool , a major port city.
 
However, the Dalai Lama's programme, which will see him head to London and Glasgow as well as Liverpool , in northwest England , is expected to go ahead as planned, the Observer said.
 
It will also see him meet British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and heir to the British throne Prince Charles, dates which have raised China 's ire as well, the newspaper added.
 
The Dalai Lama will be arriving hot on the heels of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who called into London as part of a six-leg European visit earlier this month.
 

Back                          Top