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Patten urges Chinese officials to begin dialogue with Dalai Lama

The European Union's External Affairs Commissioner, Chris Patten, has urged Chinese officials to start dialogue with the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama.

Speaking in Shanghai Mr Patten said the EU would like to see discussions between the Chinese leadership and the Dalai Lama.

The former Hong Kong governor said such talks would promote reconciliation and enhance China's image internationally.

Mr Patten said while there was no argument in Europe that Tibet was a Chinese province, there were concerns about whether Tibetan linguistic and cultural traditions were being preserved.

30/03/2002 00:00:25 | ABC Radio Australia News

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