China holding talks with Dalai Lama's envoys
Secretive talks between envoys of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government entered a second day today, with the goal of easing tensions following anti-government riots in Tibet in March.
The self-proclaimed Tibetan government-in-exile has said the two days of talks would be held in China’s capital Beijing, but Chinese officials would not confirm any details such as where the meeting would be held or what the agenda was.
The Tibetan government-in-exile, based in Dharmsala, India, has said Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche was expected to comment only after the talks end.
The talks have particular importance in light of China’s hopes of hosting a flawless Olympic Games.
Some experts believe Beijing is agreeing to the discussions to ease criticism ahead of the Games, which begin on August 8 in the Chinese capital.
Some world leaders have said they might boycott the opening ceremony to protest the Chinese security crackdown in Tibetan areas of China after anti-government riots broke out in March.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said this week he would attend if the latest talks made progress.
