China urges Japan to refuse visa for Dalai Lama

Japan Policy & Politics, Feb 28, 2000

BEIJING, Feb. 24 Kyodo

China urged Japan on Thursday not to grant a visa to the Dalai Lama, warning that a visit to Japan by the Tibetan spiritual leader will harm relations between China and Japan, the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said.

In a press conference, spokesman Zhu Bangzao described the Dalai Lama as "a political exile who has for a long time undertaken activities to split the motherland under the cloak of religion."

Zhu said Japan must "honor its commitment to the Chinese government by not allowing the Dalai Lama to visit Japan so as not to bring a new obstruction to bilateral relations."

On Wednesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki said the Japanese government had received a visa application from the Dalai Lama, the leader of Tibet's Yellow Hat Buddhists.

Aoki said the Dalai Lama's relations with the Chinese government will not be a factor in Tokyo's decision whether or not to grant him a visa, adding that Japan views Tibetan issues as "China's internal affairs."

Buddhist groups have said the Dalai Lama plans to visit Kyoto and Tokyo for eight days in April.

Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara said he will see the Dalai Lama during the visit, referring to him as an "old friend." Ishihara has openly criticized China's Tibet policy since taking office last April.

Tibet was occupied by Chinese troops in 1950. The Dalai Lama fled in 1959 following an insurrection against Chinese rule and now leads the Tibetan government in exile in Dharamsala, India.