China steps up warning to Botswana over Dalai Lama visit

 

The Dalai Lama waves as he leaves after speaking on "Embracing the Beauty of Diversity in our World" to thousands at the UC San Diego campus in San Diego, California, U.S. June 16, 2017. REUTERS/ Mike Blake/Files

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - China stepped up its warning to Botswana on Wednesday over a planned visit by exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama next month, demanding the African nation respect China's core interests.

 

The Dalai Lama, reviled by Beijing as a dangerous separatist, is expected to address a human rights conference in the capital, Gaborone, on Aug. 17-19 and will also meet Botswana's president. China is a major investor in Botswana's economy.

 

China has already "clearly" expressed its point of view about the Dalai Lama's visit, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a daily news briefing.

 

"Issues relating to Tibet concern China's sovereignty and territory integrity. We demand the relevant country earnestly respect China's core interests and make the correct political decision on this matter," Lu said, using stronger language than before on the issue.

 

"China will not interfere in other countries' internal affairs, but will certainly not tolerate another country doing anything that harms China's core interests," he added, without elaborating.

 

The Dalai Lama, who fled from Tibet into exile in India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, has long been at loggerheads with China, which sent its troops into Tibet in 1950.

 

The Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, denies he is seeking independence for his Himalayan homeland. He says he is merely seeking greater rights, including religious freedom and genuine autonomy.

 

Visits by the Dalai Lama to foreign countries infuriate China.

 

It often retaliates by stopping high-level meetings or taking economic steps, like last year when it imposed new border fees following a visit by the Dalai Lama to Mongolia.

 

Botswana's neighbour, South Africa, has denied a visa to the Buddhist monk three times since 2009 in what opposition parties there, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, say shows the extent of Beijing's influence over Pretoria.

 

China's fast-growing demand for raw materials has made it one of the biggest investors in Africa and its largest trade partner. Chinese state-owned companies have been awarded contracts to build roads, dams, power stations and airports in Botswana.

 

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Nick Macfie)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-7-26

Hopefully, Botswana tells them politely to get effed and not be concerned about the internal affairs of Botswana, the same way they tend to.

 

Their treatment of Liu Xiaobo reinforced once again what morally bankrupt tyrants these people are.

Hats off to Botswana for standing up to the big bully with its head stuck in septic mud.

 

Note about Thailand:  The Dalai Lama was scheduled to visit, sometime in the early 00's.  Thai leaders got a message from Beijing, and Thais did what was expected (by gutless clones);  they cancelled the meeting.  ...and Thailand is a Buddhist country.

 

 

 

 

May Botswana have the strength to allow this peaceful brother to enter, and ignore the ignorant Chinese colonials who invaded peaceful Tibet !

Most countries don't kick up much of a fuss over who visits.   Most countries kick up a fuss over the policies that are implemented that affect them.  China, and much of Asia, believe that ideas will die if the person who is the focal point will just go away.   

 

It's a sad commentary on China.   

7 hours ago, mrdome said:

Hopefully, Botswana tells them politely to get effed and not be concerned about the internal affairs of Botswana, the same way they tend to.

 

Their treatment of Liu Xiaobo reinforced once again what morally bankrupt tyrants these people are.

"China's fast-growing demand for raw materials has made it one of the biggest investors in Africa and its largest trade partner. Chinese state-owned companies have been awarded contracts to build roads, dams, power stations and airports in Botswana. "

 

See, THIS is what Chinese aid & trade buys them.  They don't really give ANYTHING away for free.   Thailand would do well to be taking notes...

 

 

Off-topic post removed.  

12 hours ago, car720 said:

How could China do such a thing?  I mean you never hear of other countries imposing sanctions etc.. when other countries don't do their bidding.

How about China exit Tibet which they invaded and occupied.  China is far from innocent.

 

https://chinadailymail.com/2013/12/01/china-claims-territories-of-23-countries-but-only-has-borders-with-14/

Quote

China claims territories of 23 countries, even though it only has borders with 14

 

The total area of China’s claims on other countries exceeds the size of modern China itself, but Beijing refuses to budge on its claims.

 

Many are based on unsubstantiated (outside China) and unprecedented “historical precedents” dating back centuries.

 

And while China only has land borders with 14 countries, it is claiming territory from at least 23 individual nations.

 

13 hours ago, car720 said:

How could China do such a thing?  I mean you never hear of other countries imposing sanctions etc.. when other countries don't do their bidding.

Chinese investment comes at a price!