After Dalai Lama cancels visit, Chi says Botswa ties will progress

Beijing said it “attaches great importance” to Botswa where state-run Chinese companies are engaged in infrastructure building.

Botswa had invited the Dalai Lama to speak at the three-day human rights conference in the capital Gaborone, to which he had confirmed his presence. The event begins on August 17. 

However, Chi was angry and warned Botswa against hosting the Dalai Lama, who has been demanding greater autonomy in Chi’s Tibet.

On Saturday, the Dalai Lama said he was cancelling his Botswa visit due to “exhaustion”.

“His Holiness has reluctantly had to concede that his 82-year-old body was telling him to rest,” a statement said.

Reacting to the development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said: “Chi firmly opposes the Dalai Lama to go to any country to engage in anti-Chi activities in any capacity or me.

“Chi attaches great importance to its friendly cooperation with Botswa. We hope the bilateral relations will move forward steady and sound way,” she said.

Chi slams any country that invites or maintains contact with the Dalai Lama who fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising in Tibet. He has lived in India since then. (IANS)