Dalai Lama, in Europe, urges 'constructive criticism' of China
STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, said on Thursday the European Union should offer "constructive criticism" of China.
Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, he said he hoped that the Tibetan issue would be resolved but urged the outside world and the European Union in particular not to hold back from criticizing Beijing.
Communist troops marched in and took control of Tibet in 1950 in what Beijing calls a "peaceful liberation". The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against the Chinese.
"Some constructive criticism is sometime necessary, helpful," the Dalai Lama told reporters.
Beijing denounces the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist who wants an independent Tibet. He denies espousing violence and says he only wants genuine autonomy for his Himalayan homeland.
Contact between the Dalai Lama and foreign governments is frequently a source of friction with Beijing. Although a guest of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the Dalai Lama did not meet French government officials while in France.
(Reporting by Gilbert Reilhac; Writing by Matthias Blamont; Editing by Leigh Thomas and Dominic Evans)
Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!
You May Also Be Interested In
- Short sellers recoup losses as rally in US stocks loses steam
- Lululemon to shutter Washington distribution center, lay off 128 employees
- US House advances $95 billion Ukraine-Israel package toward Saturday vote
Create E-mail Alert Related Categories
ReutersSign up for StreetInsider Free!
Receive full access to all new and archived articles, unlimited portfolio tracking, e-mail alerts, custom newswires and RSS feeds - and more!