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China threatens trade ties if Sarkozy meets Dalai Lama

Article published on the 2008-12-04 Latest update 2008-12-04 12:15 TU

The Dalai Lama (l) and Sarkozy(Photo : AFP/Reuters)

The Dalai Lama (l) and Sarkozy
(Photo : AFP/Reuters)

China warned France Thursday that its trade ties would be threatened if President Nicolas Sarkozy goes ahead with his planned meeting with Tibetan Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama. The exiled leader has been branded a "monster" by China, who accuse him of trying to split the nation.

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"We attach great importance to our strategic partnership with France, as well as our business relations with France. These two points are closely related," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.

Sarkozy is set to meet the Dalai Lama in Poland this Saturday. China has repeatedly called for France not to meet with the spiritual leader. Beijing has made similar overtures in the past to other countries who have met with him.

"Only under the condition of good bilateral relations we can create a sound atmosphere for our business relations," said Liu, adding, "France should really work hard to change this situation, which will determine the development of our bilateral relations."

China has already retaliated by cancelling an EU-China summit that was scheduled for this week. France currently holds the rotating presidency.

Taiwan's governing Kuomintang party has followed suit with China. Beijing-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou made it clear Wednesday that the Dalai Lama would not be welcomed to Taipei.

The Dalai Lama told a local newspaper in Dharamsala, the town in northern India where his exiled government has been based for nearly 50 years, that he would like to visit Taiwan's shores.

"Religious leaders are welcome to visit Taiwan...but I think at the current moment, the timing is not appropriate for that," Ma said.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which was ousted in elections last May, had developed close ties with the Dalai Lama.

"Apparently the decision was another indication of Ma bowing to Beijing's pressure," said DPP spokesman Cheng Wen-tsang in a statement.