Published by: World Tibet Network News, Monday, July 8, 1996

Source: AFP news agency, Hong Kong, in English 1020 gmt 8 Jul 96

Beijing, 8th July: China blasted the British parliament on Monday over a planned visit by Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, warning that Sino-British relations would be affected if the trip went ahead next week.

During the one-week visit, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to address a meeting of some 200 MPs at the House of Commons on July 16, after which he will have a meeting with Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind.

"Tibetan affairs are purely Chinese affairs, which brook no interference by any foreign government organisations or individuals," a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

The spokesman labelled the Dalai Lama a political exile whose only goal was to secure Tibetan independence and "undermine the ethnic harmony of China."

By offering the Dalai Lama a forum in Britain, the All Party Group For Tibet "is supporting and abetting the Dalai Lama's activities to split the motherland on British territory," the spokesman said.

The Dalai Lama's visit to Britain - scheduled to begin July 15 - is the latest in a series of visits to European countries, all of which have been roundly condemned by China.

Beijing's sensitivity over the Tibetan issue was highlighted last month by the upheaval in Sino-German relations that followed the adoption by the Bundestag of a resolution criticising China's policy in Tibet.

Beijing cancelled a planned China visit by German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel in retaliation.

Inviting the Dalai Lama to Britain, "not only violates norms governing international relations, but also hurts the feeling of the Chinese people, and will adversely affect Sino-British relations," the spokesman said.

"We hereby express our strong dissatisfaction," he added. The Dalai Lama was invited to Britain by the Tibet Society, the Buddhist Society and the Network of Buddhist Organisations.

Meanwhile, according to a report seen here Monday, a senior Communist Party official in Tibet has warned that grassroots party cells in the region are being infiltrated and controlled by religious forces intent on pursuing separatist activities.

"Many party organisations at the basic level have grown lax and weak, while others are virtually paralysed," Yang Chuangtong, Tibetan deputy party secretary, said at a speech to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party.

"Some cells are even controlled by religious and evil local forces," Yang was quoted as saying in the June 29 edition of the Tibet Daily.

Calling on all party members to strengthen the "anti-splittist struggle," Yang also warned of the growing influence of corruption.

"Communist ideals and beliefs are being shaken as people seek a decadent life in the pursuit of money worhip and individualism," he said.