On 15 May 2012, Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming had an emergency meeting with Permanent Under Secretary of State of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Simon Fraser. In the meeting, Ambassador Liu made solemn representations to the British side on the meeting of British Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg with the Dalai Lama on May 14 in London.
Ambassador Liu pointed out that disregarding repeated representations by the Chinese side, the British side had arranged a meeting of Prime Minister Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Clegg with Dalai. This is a gross interference in China’s internal affairs, and an affront to the Chinese people. It has sent a wrong signal to “Tibet Independence” forces. The Chinese side expresses its strong indignation and firm opposition against it.
Ambassador Liu stressed that Tibet-related affairs are purely internal affairs of China. Dalai is a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to leaders of any country meeting with Dalai in any form. The Chinese side is also firmly opposed to the attempt by any country or any individual to interfere in China’s internal affairs in the excuse of the Tibet issue. He urges the British side to take seriously the solemn position of the Chinese side, stop conniving at and supporting “Tibet independence” anti-China forces, take immediate and effective measures to undo the damage, and uphold the larger interests of China-UK relations with credible actions.
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