China, EU discuss Tibet
25/04/2008 12:19  - (SA)  

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Beijing - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said he discussed the thorny issue of Tibet in talks with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Friday.

"I have briefed President Barroso on the situation in Tibet and China's stance on it," Wen told reporters after meeting with a large EU delegation.

Barroso's China visit comes amid strained relations between China and the EU, and particularly France over a Chinese crackdown on recent unrest in Tibet.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Thursday expressed "shock" over the deadly recent violence in Tibet and urging China to give greater autonomy to the region.

European lawmakers also earlier this month urged EU leaders to boycott the Games opening ceremony unless China resumes talks with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

China has bridled at such statements, calling them unwanted interference in its domestic affairs.

It warned that Sino-French ties could be seriously harmed by the Paris city council's decision earlier this week to make the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, an honorary citizen.

Demonstrations were held last weekend in several Chinese cities against the French retailing giant Carrefour, triggered in part by protests in early April that disrupted the Beijing Olympic torch relay's Paris leg.

- AFP

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