China opens door to talks with Dalai Lama representative

China opens door to talks with Dalai Lama representative

I'm confused. Why is this new news? And when I listened to the report on the CBC radio, the reporter seemed to be crediting Western pressure for a change of heart on the part of the Chinese. And, looking at news.google.com, it is not only the CBC but many many Western news outlets are picking up on the story.

The reason I'm confused is that it isn't new. Shortly after the separatist riots this year, amid reporting the Chinese government calling the Dalai Lama a liar, Xinhua also reported the government's affirmation that they are willing to talk with him. March 20, 2008, the Chinese Foreign Ministry affirmed that "the door is always open" as long as the Dalai Lama gives up on "his stance for Tibet independence and completely stop activities to separate China."¹ Searching more, I find on January 28, 2004, Chinese President Hu Jintao, while in Paris, stressed that "Tibet is an inseparable part of Chinese territory and the channel for contact between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama is open as long as the latter abandons his stand on Tibetan independence and stops separatist activities."²

Don't misunderstand me. I think it is a good thing that there might be talks. I just find it curious that the West can claim any sort of credit on pushing the Chinese side to the table when their door, with conditions, has been open for a very long time.

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¹ 2008-03-20, FM: China's principle on dialogue with Dalai Lama unchanged

² 2004-01-28, Tibet an inseparable part of Chinese territory: Hu