China slams upcoming Sarkozy-Dalai Lama meeting

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

BEIJING (AP) — China on Friday sharply criticized a planned meeting between French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the Dalai Lama, suggesting bilateral relations could face a new setback if it goes ahead.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang reaffirmed Beijing's opposition to any form of contact between Tibet's exiled Buddhist leader and foreign heads of government.

"At present, China's relations with both France and the EU are improving and developing. This hard-earned situation should be cherished," Qin said in a statement posted on the ministry's Web site.

"We urge the French side to proceed from the overall interest of bilateral relations," Qin said. France should "take China's major concern seriously and properly handle relevant issues so as to contribute to the stable development of China-France and China-EU relations," he said.



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