Latest update: 07/05/2009 

- Bertrand Delanoë - China - Dalai Lama - Paris - Tibet


China warns Paris against granting Dalai Lama honorary citizenship
China warned Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoë not to make the Dalai Lama,Tibet's spiritual leader, an honorary citizen of the French capital, saying that the move would meet with "the Chinese people's firm opposition".

AFP - China warned Paris Thursday not to make more "errors" on Tibet amid news the Dalai Lama may be made an honorary citizen of the French capital, just as frosty ties between the two nations had improved.
   
"If the Paris city government does make this award, it will definitely meet once again with the Chinese people's firm opposition," foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told reporters.
   
"We urge the Paris side to stop doing things that interfere in China's internal affairs and make no further errors on the Tibet-related issue."
   
The Dalai Lama is due to visit France from June 6 to 8, amid prospects he may receive the title of honorary citizen of Paris from the mayor, Bertrand Delanoe, who decided to give him the award in April last year.
   
The move would draw an angry response from China, which opposes any government figure meeting the Dalai Lama, whom it accuses of seeking independence for Tibet after 58 years of Chinese rule.
   
The Dalai Lama, however, says he only wants meaningful autonomy for the Himalayan region.
   
The latest tension comes after the two countries had patched up relations following Beijing's anger over President Nicolas Sarkozy's meeting with the Dalai Lama in December.
   
The talks between the French President and Tibet's exiled spiritual leader led China to postpone a key summit with the European Union that would have been hosted by France, which held the rotating presidency at the time.
   
Ma acknowledged that since then, relations between the two nations had improved.
   
"With the concerted efforts of people from both countries, bilateral relations have finally returned to a sound and stable development track," he said.
   
"We hope that France can join us to promote the sound and stable development of bilateral relations."

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the Dalai Lama is unworthy of this honor

France 24's own report, "the Dalai Lama's demons", showing the oppression of Dorje Shugden practitioners by the Dalai Lama and his 'Government in Exile' clearly shows why he should not be given this honor. Although many people think he is a man of peace, the Dalai Lama's actions of religious oppression have caused suffering to millions. Dalai Lama, give religious freedom!

Paris mon amour and Tibet

Now I love Paris much more than never. The honorary citizenship for Dalai Lama.The right thing to do! Many thanks to France and Paris

Emptiness very empty

What would a eastern monk accepting to be honorary citizens of western cities?

Disappointing

The Chinese stance has been crystal clear on this issue. It is essentially about the integrity and sovereignty of the Chinese State. No Chinese government or citizens will tolerate any hint of independence, despite whatever language employed by the Dalai Lama. Furthermore, China has a long unhappy history of foreigners trying to exploit her weakness often with so-called 'benign' intentions. The Dalai Lama will only add trouble for France, despite his proclaimed 'peace loving' but self serving agenda. But the french are too proud and has an overinflated superiority complex, to publicly admit this; so the French Chinese relationship will continue to deteriorate. Anyway the french public don't really care and seem to have a hardened view against China. On the other hand, by having a hypocritical stance, this will only confirm the unreliability of the French government, in the eyes of the Chinese. The real 'winner' in this troubled relationship is the Dalai Lama.

Shame on China.

I don't see what the big deal is!!! Dalai Lama is ALREADY an honorary citizen of CANADA and a Nobel price winner, China is using this matter as a diversion from its own internal problems. What reason does China have for intervening other nation's matter? If the western world compromise, imagine what China would do NEXT? Please recall Nazi Germany! I would suggest China to boycott the whole western world if it were to be follow its own rule. I love France for standing up! Vive la France!!!! Vive la Paris!!!!! SHAME on China!!!!!!

Agent Provocateur.

France has an unfortunate habit of honouring terrorists, such as Yasser Arafat, with legitimate protests out of Israel being met with international disdain. Although it will seem ridiculous to most westerners, it would not actually be unreasonable to proscribe the Dalai Lama as a terrorist organisation.

China / France

And yet, the most visited country in the world. Second, it's not like China has been doing humanitarian work in Tibet over the last 50 years...

France

France is truly a repulsive country.

France

France is a despicable nation! Paris is a despicable capital!

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