For Beijing, Tibet is the thorn in the side of China–U.S. relations
Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The outcome of Barack Obama's trip to China, the first by election to the presidency of the United States, scheduled in mid-November rotates around the "Tibet issue". According to the newspaper South China Morning Post, the Chinese government wants a "statement" from the U.S. administration that "recognizes Chinese sovereignty over Tibet." Beijing, in return, would be willing to cooperate on climate issues, economic, commercial, military cooperation and non-proliferation.
The U.S. President arrives in Shanghai, the financial hub of the country on November 15 this year, from 16 to 18 November he will be in Beijing for a series of high-level meetings. Obama will also visit the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. For Vice-Foreign Minister He Yafei the trip represents "a major event in Sino-American relations" and it is important for growth of bilateral relations in a new era. "
Beijing, stressing its willingness to cooperate with the U.S., however, has launched more than one message on the issue of Tibet and Taiwan, while not directly mentioning them. The United States continues the deputy minister, has "made promises" on "key issues" for China, and these promises are an "essential part" for a growing active "cooperation and bilateral relations."
The protection guaranteed by the U.S., according to a senior official in Beijing, revolves around "security and national sovereignty." A not-too-veiled reference to Taiwan and, especially, to Tibet, which Beijing considers part of its territory. In recent weeks the mainstream media have boosted the campaign of denigration towards the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibet, accusing him of being a political leader that "seeks independence," and recently branded him a "liar."
U.S. diplomatic sources confirmed the administrations’ expectations of Obama's diplomatic mission to China. Several "strategic issues" hang in the balance, designed to outline the points on which to base a "future cooperation". Among these a climate agreement in view of the Copenhagen summit, trade and economy, non-proliferation and cooperation in the military.
An American scholar in Beijing believes that there is a "probability of at least 50%" that Obama will make a "public statement regarding Tibet." It is not excluded, however, that the U.S. president will address the issue "behind closed doors" to meet the demands of China.
In October, Barack Obama did not want to officially meet the Dalai Lama, during his visit to the United States. A decision welcomed by Beijing, but that has sparked controversy at home, where the Tibetan spiritual leader - who since 1991 has always been received from U.S. presidents - has a strong following among politicians, intellectuals and movie stars.
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