Published by: World Tibet Network News, Monday, March 11, 1996

By ASHOK SHARMA

Associated Press Writer

NEW DELHI, India, March 10, 1996 (AP) -- The Dalai Lama criticized China on Sunday for what he called an aggressive policy toward Taiwan, Hong Kong and Tibet.

In a statement, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists said China was spreading "fear and suspicion" throughout Asia.

"We are witnessing a general hardening of Chinese government policy. This is reflected in an increasingly aggressive posture toward the people of Taiwan and Hong Kong and an intensified repression in Tibet," the Dalai Lama said.

His statement from New Delhi marked the 37th anniversary of an uprising in Lhasa, Tibet's capital, that was crushed by the Chinese army.

After the failed rebellion, the Dalai Lama fled to India, where he has lived in exile with some 120,000 fellow Tibetans in the northern city of Dharamsala.

The Dalai Lama won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Pointing to Tibet, Taiwan and Hong Kong, three places China rules or hopes to rule soon, the exiled leader renewed his offer to negotiate with Chinese leaders.

Chinese Premier Li Peng last week repeated his country's longstanding threat to use force to reclaim Taiwan.

China is conducting a week of missile tests near Taiwan, apparently to weaken independence sentiment on the island, which Beijing views as a renegade province. On Saturday, it said it would stage war games using live ammunition southwest of the island.

Under a 1984 Sino-British agreement, Hong Kong will return to Chinese rule next year. Many Hong Kong residents fear China will curtail the British colony's freedoms.

"We also see rising fear and suspicion throughout the Asia-Pacific region and a worsening of relations between China and much of the rest of the world," the Dalai Lama said.

He indicated he was not insisting on Tibet's total independence from China, saying he has adopted a "middle-way approach."

He said Beijing has increased its repression throughout Tibet.