China says it's ready for dialogue with Dalai Lama over Tibet

by Dave Keating | April 18, 2008 at 05:59 am | 183 views | add comment

For the first time, a Chinese official says the country is willing to engage in talks with the Dalai Lama. It looks like the protests may be having an effect after all.

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Friday told Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and other party leaders that Beijing is ready to talk with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and to offer information to Tokyo on the current situation with Tibet.

During the meeting with the Chinese minister, Japanese leaders, including Fukuda, urged disclosure on the recent incidents in Tibet and talks with the Dalai Lama without any preconditions.

China had earlier dismissed Japan's concerns by saying it is an 'internal matter,' the Kyodo News Agency said.

Yang also met Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura during a four-day trip to set up a visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao from May 6-10.