Any dialogue around the Tibet issue between the Dalai Lama and the central government has to be done within the framework of China's existing political system stipulated in the constitution, a Chinese expert said Thursday.
"Infinite demands can only lead to infinite disappointment," Prof. Tondru Wangben from China's Central University for Nationalities told a news conference, referring to the Dalai Lama's personal representative's remarks that the two latest rounds of dialogues with the Chinese central government yielded no substantial results.
When asked whether the dialogue would continue after the Beijing Olympic Games, the Tibetan scholar, who led a five-member delegation to the United States for a two-day visit, said the central government's attitude towards the Dalai clique is always consistent -- leaving the door open for talks.
He said talks can go on as long as the Dalai Lama openly and explicitly promises to follow the "four no-supports" principle -- not to support activities to disturb the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, not to support plots to fan violent criminal activities, not to support and concretely curb the violent terrorist activities of the "Tibetan Youth Congress," and not to support any argument and activity to seek "Tibet independence" and split the region from the country.
"If the Dalai Lama really gives up his pursuit for Tibet's independence and talks with the central government as a common person, he should keep his demands within the framework of China's political system and the constitution," Tondru Wangben said.
The central government showed maximum sincerity by agreeing to have dialogue with the Dalai Lama's personal representative, despite some Chinese public opposition, after the March 14 riot in Tibet and the disruption of the Olympic torch relay abroad, both linked to the Dalai Lama's so-called "government-in-exile," said Tondru Wangben.
"The two rounds of dialogues are fruits in themselves," he added, urging the Dalai Lama to give up "unrealistic expectations."
The delegation members met with U.S. government officials, lawmakers and scholars to present their views on issues including the dialogues between the Chinese central government and the Dalai clique, the March 14 riot in Tibet and the Chinese government's policies toward Tibet on religious freedom, cultural preservation and economic development, among others.
"We hope this direct communication can help them understand and make judgment on the Tibet issue in a more objective way," Tondru Wangben said.
On the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, he said Tibetans, as one of the 56 ethnic groups in China, also share the pride and joy brought about by the biggest sports event in the world and believe it will be a big success.
(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2008)