Sydney, Australia (AHN) - Australia's Prime Minister John Howard has rejected a warning from the Chinese Foreign Ministry not to meet with the Dalai Lama when he visits the country next month.
Prime Minister Howard said to reporters "this country has a good relationship with China... in relation to who I meet that is a matter for me." Howard, who has yet to confirm a meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader, said he would make a decision based on what he thought was right.
Earlier a spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned the Australian Government, "We hope that relevant governments and parties can stay on high alert to the actions and words of the Dalai Lama aimed at splitting China and do not give support to the Dalai clique," said spokesperson Jiang Yu.
The 71-year-old Dalai Lama who has fronted a Tibetan government-in-exile since fleeing a Chinese takeover of his country in 1959, will visit Australian for ten days from June 6
Prime Minister Howard said to reporters "this country has a good relationship with China... in relation to who I meet that is a matter for me." Howard, who has yet to confirm a meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader, said he would make a decision based on what he thought was right.
Earlier a spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned the Australian Government, "We hope that relevant governments and parties can stay on high alert to the actions and words of the Dalai Lama aimed at splitting China and do not give support to the Dalai clique," said spokesperson Jiang Yu.
The 71-year-old Dalai Lama who has fronted a Tibetan government-in-exile since fleeing a Chinese takeover of his country in 1959, will visit Australian for ten days from June 6
