ASEAN officials welcome restoration of normalcy in China

Singapore, May 7 (UNI) Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs He Yafei today briefed the ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials Meeting in Singapore issues relating to Tibet protests and Beijing Olympics.

The ASEAN officials welcomed the restoration of normalcy and the latest move of the Chinese Government to have contact and consultation with the private representative of the Dalai Lama, said Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry in a statement today.

''This will help restore stability. Linking the Tibetan issue with the Beijing Olympics will serve no purpose other than to politicise the Games,'' said the Ministry.

It is in the interest of the region that a long-term solution be found that addresses the concerns of the Tibetan people while respecting China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, it added.

The Ministry said the ASEAN members also expressed confidence that the Beijing Olympics would be a success.

UNI XC RJ nd1922