Chinese Embassy responds to Dalai Lama�s attempted visit to Botswana
Correspondent | Wednesday August 2, 2017 16:40
The foreign ministry spokesperson of China was asked by the international media more than once about China’s position on this issue. The following is the latest response from the Chinese side.
We have taken note of the recent statements made by the Botswana government regarding its allowing the 14th Dalai Lama’s attempted visit to Botswana.
China has made it clear through the diplomatic channel that Dalai Lama is the head of a well-organized political group who has long been engaging in anti-China separatist activities with the attempt to split Tibet from China.
Therefore, permitting Dalai Lama’s attempted visit is an act of providing stage for him to carry out anti-China separatist activities, which is an unfriendly behaviour of apparently interfering in China’s internal affairs.
As known to all, it is the principle of international relations that states should mutually respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and should not interfere in each other’s internal affairs.
China does not interfere in other countries' internal affairs. In the meantime, we will not allow another country to interfere in China’s internal affairs with regard to the Tibet issue.
Sovereignty and territorial integrity are supreme to a state. China will firmly safeguard its state sovereignty and territorial integrity. We call on Botswana to meet halfway with China, so as to work together to maintain the China-Botswana traditional and friendly relations.