China opposes interference in Tibet issue, says FM

BEIJING -- Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang on Thursday reiterated that China bitterly opposes any country's interference in the Tibet issue. The matter is an internal affair.

Qin made the remarks at a regular press conference here when asked by a journalist to respond to a report saying French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner may raise the issue at a European Union (EU) foreign ministers' meeting.

He said the Tibet issue was completely China's internal affairs and does not allow any foreign country's interference.

"We hope the EU will make a clear distinction between right and wrong, and condemn the violent elements (involved in the Lhasa riots), because it was them who have broken the law and order, disrupted social stability and destroyed the people's life," he said.

Qin called on the EU not to take double standards on the Tibet issue and not to send any wrong signals to the Dalai clique.

When responding to another question asking him to comment on a report that the Lhasa riot might be backed by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Qin advised the journalist to check historical documents to look for the starters of the "Tibet independence".

"Tibet has been a part of China's territories since ancient times. How did the (allegation of) 'Tibet independence' arise? ... there was not 'Tibet independence' some 100 years ago ... you can read historical documents and do some investigation into who were the starters of 'Tibet independence', which I believe will help you have more objective and real reporting on Tibet and Dalai," Qin said.

He added China hoped that relevant countries respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect the universally-recognized norms governing international relations, and not provide support to the Dalai clique's secessionist activities in any form and in any name.

"The Chinese government has the determination and ability to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity."