Published by: World Tibet Network News, Wednesday, August 14, 1996

BEIJING, Aug 14 (Reuter) - China has voiced concern over plans by Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to meet government officials during a visit to Australia next month, an Australia official said on Wednesday.

Beijing raised its concerns in a statement relayed in a meeting earlier this week between Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Huaqiu and Australian Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Minister Philip Ruddock.

"It was low key," said Ruddock, speaking to reporters on Wednesday.

Beijing also noted its displeasure over a planned visit to rival Taiwan by Australia's Minister for Primary Industries and Energy John Anderson, Ruddock said.

China routinely objects to foreign government officials meeting the Dalai Lama, who has campaigned peacefully for real autonomy for the Himalayan region but is seen by Beijing as leading a pro-independence cause.

Beijing says it has ruled Tibet for centuries but many Tibetans dispute this.

China also views Taiwan as a rebel province that is not entitled to diplomatic links with other states.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has said he will meet the exiled Tibetan god-king, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, during what is described as a private visit.

Ruddock said he discussed illegal immigration in a meeting with China's Minister of Security Tao Siju.

He said he advised the Chinese official of steps being taken by the Australian government to speed up the return of illegal migrants, many of them from China.

Australia is considering ways to reduce the time for judicial review for those illegal immigrants deemed not having valid claims to remain.

"I wanted to ensure there was an awareness of the steps we are taking," Ruddock said.

Australian officials said some 1,500 people from China and ethnic Chinese originally from Vietnam had arrived in Australia illegally since November 1994. About 800 had been returned to China this year.