Monday, June 30, 2008

BEIJING, June 29 -- Chinese officials will hold a second round of meetings early next month with envoys of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, state media reported Sunday.

The announcement of the talks follows China's decision last week to reopen Tibet to foreign tour groups for the first time since deadly rioting in March and the passage of the Olympic torch through the Tibetan capital of Lhasa without protest on June 21.

Chinese officials "hope that the Dalai Lama would treasure this opportunity and give positive response to the requirements of the central authorities," said an unnamed government spokesman quoted by the New China News Agency.

The Chinese government accuses the Dalai Lama of trying to split the country. He has repeatedly said he seeks autonomy for Tibetans but not independence from China.

There was no immediate comment on the talks from the Dalai Lama's government-in-exile in Dharmsala, India.

-- Jill Drew