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Dalai Lama envoys in China talks Dalai Lama envoys in China talks
(about 1 hour later)
Envoys of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, are in Beijing to resume talks with China's government after a break of 15 months.Envoys of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, are in Beijing to resume talks with China's government after a break of 15 months.
Discussions broke down in acrimony in 2008, with Beijing saying that no progress had been made.Discussions broke down in acrimony in 2008, with Beijing saying that no progress had been made.
One of the Dalai Lama's representatives told the BBC he thought the resumption of talks may signal a change in approach from China.One of the Dalai Lama's representatives told the BBC he thought the resumption of talks may signal a change in approach from China.
But concrete evidence for this is so far unclear.But concrete evidence for this is so far unclear.
Relations between the two sides, which were never good, were strained further due to unrest in Tibetan areas in 2008.Relations between the two sides, which were never good, were strained further due to unrest in Tibetan areas in 2008.
Real autonomy?Real autonomy?
This will be the ninth round of discussions between China and the Tibetan government-in-exile since 2002.This will be the ninth round of discussions between China and the Tibetan government-in-exile since 2002.
News of the resumption of talks was released by the exiled Tibetan leadership, based in Dharamsala in India.News of the resumption of talks was released by the exiled Tibetan leadership, based in Dharamsala in India.
A statement on the website of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism, said the five-person group would return to India at the beginning of February.A statement on the website of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism, said the five-person group would return to India at the beginning of February.
Speaking to the BBC's China Editor Shirong Chen, the Dalai Lama's representative for northern Europe, Thubten Samdup, suggested China could now be more willing to negotiate than it had been in the past.Speaking to the BBC's China Editor Shirong Chen, the Dalai Lama's representative for northern Europe, Thubten Samdup, suggested China could now be more willing to negotiate than it had been in the past.
"Within the Chinese citizens there's a re-awakening, so to speak, that perhaps the Dalai Lama is the best chance that Beijing has," he said."Within the Chinese citizens there's a re-awakening, so to speak, that perhaps the Dalai Lama is the best chance that Beijing has," he said.
But there is little evidence to suggest that China is willing to make definite concessions to the Tibetan government-in-exile.But there is little evidence to suggest that China is willing to make definite concessions to the Tibetan government-in-exile.
Last week senior Chinese leaders held a major meeting about Tibet - the first in nine years - in which they indicated they would continue their hard-line approach.Last week senior Chinese leaders held a major meeting about Tibet - the first in nine years - in which they indicated they would continue their hard-line approach.
Chinese President Hu Jintao told those at the meeting that China would maintain efforts to prevent "penetration and sabotage" by supporters of Tibetan independence.Chinese President Hu Jintao told those at the meeting that China would maintain efforts to prevent "penetration and sabotage" by supporters of Tibetan independence.
He added that Beijing would ensure the "normal order of Tibetan Buddhism".He added that Beijing would ensure the "normal order of Tibetan Buddhism".
A report on the three-day meeting was carried by the state-run news agency Xinhua, which said: "The Communist Party of China's policies towards Tibet in the new era were totally correct."A report on the three-day meeting was carried by the state-run news agency Xinhua, which said: "The Communist Party of China's policies towards Tibet in the new era were totally correct."
Tibetan monks have previously been forced to attend classes in which they have had to pledge their allegiance to Beijing.
Following the last round of talks between the Chinese and Tibetans, Zhu Weiqun, of the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Work Department, blamed the Tibetans for lack of progress.Following the last round of talks between the Chinese and Tibetans, Zhu Weiqun, of the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Work Department, blamed the Tibetans for lack of progress.
He said they had not given up their dream of an independent Tibet.He said they had not given up their dream of an independent Tibet.
The Tibetans say they do not want independence, only real autonomy to help protect Tibet's unique culture.The Tibetans say they do not want independence, only real autonomy to help protect Tibet's unique culture.