France shall clarify attitude toward Tibet-related issues

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Friday that China hopes the French side would show its clear-cut attitude toward Tibet-related issues to help recover relations between China and France as quickly as possible.

Answering a question on the recent problems in China-France relations, Wen said, "This time, the problem is with the high-profile meeting between the French leader and the Dalai lama, and this concerns the core interests of China and France, and also the Chinese people."

"It has been 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France. Despite some twists and turns in the course of development, this relationship on the whole has kept moving forward," Wen said at a press conference following the end of the annual session of the National People's Congress.

Wen hoped the French side to make clear-cut stance on Tibet-related issues and help recover the China-France relations as quickly as possible.

"This not only serves the interests of both China and France, but also the interests of China and the European Union," he said.

Wen reiterated that Tibet is an inalienable part of China and issues related to Tibet are China's internal affairs which should not be interfered by foreign countries.

"Our stance toward Tibet is consistent and clear-cut," he said, adding that the door is always open for talks with the Dalai Lama if he gives up his separatist attempt.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also urged France to make "positive signs" on issues of major concern to China at a press conference here last Saturday.

Yang said the recent problems in China-France relations were not the responsibility of China, and he was confident about the long-term development of the bilateral relations.