China appreciates Russia's visa rejection to Dalai Lama, FM spokesman
( 2003-09-25 22:42) (Xinhua)
The Chinese government appreciated the move taken by Russia to reject issuing
a visa to the Dalai Lama, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said
Thursday.
Kong said that in the joint communique issued after the regular meeting of
prime ministers between China and Russia, certain articles mentioned the Tibet
issue.
The communique says that "the two sides will continue to firmly support the
other for maintaining state unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The
Russian side reiterates its stance on the Taiwan and Tibet issues."
In a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry Tuesday, Russia rejected a
visa application from the Dalai Lama to visit Russia's republic of Kalmykia.
"Guided by the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other
countries and being aware of the sensitivity of the Tibet issue, we would not
allow a visit by the Dalai Lama to Kalmykia at the invitation of a top
official," the statement said.
The statement said Russia considers Tibet an inalienable part of China and
that it refrains from any official contact with the Dalai Lama.
Russia last rejected a visa to the Dalai Lama in August
2002.
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