The Chinese Government has confirmed that Chinese and American officials talked about the “Tibet Question” during President Bush’s visit to China from November 19 to 21, 2005 but did not give details.
When asked at the regular press conference on November 22, 2005 about China’s reaction to the report that President Bush had requested China to have dialogue with the Dalai Lama, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao responded in two short sentences. “…the two sides touched upon the Tibet question. Chinese leader stated China’s consistent position on Tibet and Dalai Lama,” he said. While Liu did not expand on this, he also did not repeat the usual diatribe that the Foreign Ministry indulges in on the issue of Tibet and the Dalai Lama.
Following is the relevant excerpt from the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman’s remarks:
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao’s Press Conference on 22 November 2005
QUESTION: It is said that President Bush requested China to have dialogue with Dalai Lama during the China-US summit. What’s China’s reaction? Second question, is the four-day water cutoff a rare case in China? Is it led by a serious condition?
ANSWER: Regarding your first question, the two sides touched upon the Tibet question. Chinese leader stated China’s consistent position on Tibet and Dalai Lama.
On your second question, I suggest you should work harder and learn information from the competent authority.