BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhuanet) -- China opposed all forms of
invitations to and meetings with the Dalai Lama from government
officials of any country or region, Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesman Kong Quan reiterated here Tuesday.

  Kong was replying to a journalist's question about the Dalai
Lama's impending visit to Australia, and noted that China had
repeatedly stated the attitude of its government on this issue.

  Kong said that the Dalai Lama was not simply a religious
personage, but was once the biggest owner of serfs in old Tibet.
The feudal system in old Tibet was darker than that of Europe's
middle ages, he said.  

  The spokesman noted that the Dalai Lama was also a politician
in exile disguised as a religious figure and engaged in activities
designed to split China and damage the country's national unity.

  China was opposed to the Dalai Lama's political activities in
any capacity, and in any country or region, which aimed to split
China and damage its national unity, Kong stated.  

                             ---May 15,2002---