The Dalai Lama has gone to Australia for an 11 day tour. China has issued strong warnings to Australia that the visit can harm bilateral ties. In the meantime, the Dalai Lama has used his visit to rally against isolating China. From Taipei Times:
The Dalai Lama warned major countries yesterday not to try to contain China’s economic and military rise and urged countries like Australia to use their trading clout to pressure Beijing on human rights.
The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, speaking in Canberra, said he shared concerns about growing strategic and trade ties between the US, India, Japan and Australia, which Beijing has interpreted as moves toward encirclement.
“It is absolutely wrong to isolate China and also contain China. It’s wrong, morally also wrong,” the Dalai Lama told the Australian National Press Club. [Full text]
See also China Must Respect Democracy: Downer from The Australian for more information on Australia and China’s dialogue on the Dalai Lama’s visit.
