China’s Offer for Talks with Dalai Lama Rejected Over Preconditions
Beijing, February 11, 2025: China has expressed its willingness to hold discussions about the future of the Dalai Lama, but only if he agrees to certain conditions. One of the main conditions is that he must publicly recognize Tibet and Taiwan as inseparable parts of China. The Tibetan parliament-in-exile, based in India, has strongly rejected these demands, calling them a distortion of history.
The Dalai Lama, the 88-year-old spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule. As he approaches his 90th birthday in July, the question of his return to Tibet and the issue of his successor have become urgent topics of discussion.
China’s Position on the Dalai Lama’s Return
On Monday, February 10, 2025, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that Beijing remains open to dialogue if the Dalai Lama abandons what it describes as efforts to “split the motherland.”
“The Dalai Lama must publicly accept that Tibet and Taiwan are integral parts of China and recognize the People’s Republic of China as the only legal government,” Guo said.
His statement came after the recent death of the Dalai Lama’s elder brother, Gyalo Thondup, a key figure in previous negotiations between Tibet and China. Thondup passed away at the age of 97 in Kalimpong, India, on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
Tibetan Leadership’s Strong Rejection
On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the Tibetan parliament-in-exile in Dharamshala, India, quickly dismissed China’s conditions.
“It is impossible for His Holiness to say something that is not true,” said Dolma Tsering Teykhang, the deputy speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile. “If they insist that he must declare Tibet an inseparable part of China, they are rewriting history. Such distortions will not lead to peace.”
In 2011, the Dalai Lama officially stepped down from political leadership, transferring power to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). However, China refuses to recognize the CTA. While formal talks between the Dalai Lama’s representatives and Chinese officials have been stalled for over a decade, some informal discussions continue.
The Issue of Succession
As the Dalai Lama grows older, the question of his successor has become more pressing. According to Tibetan Buddhist traditions, his reincarnation would be determined through religious rituals. However, China insists that only its government has the authority to appoint the next Dalai Lama, a move seen as an attempt to tighten control over Tibet.
The Dalai Lama has said he will clarify the issue of his reincarnation closer to his 90th birthday in July. In an interview last December, he suggested he could live until 110, making the timeline for Beijing’s plans uncertain.
Uncertainty Over the Dalai Lama’s Return
Despite China’s demands, Teykhang remains hopeful that the Dalai Lama will return to Tibet.
“I firmly believe His Holiness will visit Tibet again and walk into the Potala Palace once more,” she said.
With no formal talks in sight and China maintaining strict control over Tibet, the future of Tibetan aspirations remains uncertain. The situation continues to be shaped by diplomacy, religious tradition, and global attention.
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