Chinese envoy objects to Pelosi's meeting with the Dalai Lama

New Delhi, Mar.21 : China's Ambassador to India Zhang Yang today reacted sharply to the Dalai Lama's meeting with visiting U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Dharamsala, saying that Beijing saw the meeting as a direct interference in its internal affairs, and strongly objected to such happenings.

"We oppose any interference in Chinese affairs by any government, organization and country.Tibet is China's internal affair. Any attempt to meddle in our internal affairs is doomed to failure," Ambassador Yang said.

The Chinese envoy described the Dalai Lama and his followers as criminals and looters, and even blamed him for cheating the international community in the name of non-violence.

"We attach importance to deeds not words," said Ambassador Yang.

On having negotiations with the Dalai Lama, Ambassador Yang said: "Until and unless the Dalai Lama gives up his demand for the independence of Tibet and his agenda of separatism and shuns violence, no talks can take place."

He also accused the Indian media of pandering to and being influenced by a biased Western media, but said the Indian Government had handled the situation in a very balanced manner.

The embassy also released a couple of reports and documentaries that were shown on CCTV, the state-run television channel, which highlighted the rioting, looting and stoning by Tibetan activists. Shots of charred buildings and dead and injured victims were also shown.

Ambassador Yang's reaction came shortly after Pelosi, the third highest ranking US official, met the the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala on Friday, and thereafter, criticised China for its policies in Tibet.

Pelosi said it is high time that the international community geared up to work towards a resolution of the Tibetan cause.

She accused China of suppressing Tibetan freedom.

The US favours a dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama towards the resolution of the Tibet problem.

ANI