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Dharamshala: Australian politicians are joining the ranks of foreign government who go against China’s rhetoric that Tibet is part of China. Next month the first ever delegation Australian parliament members will meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, other high level officials from Tibetan government in exile and be with the holy man when he celebrates is 74th birthday on July 6. The Chinese embassy in Canberra yesterday criticized the visit as an act of interference in China's internal affairs. A spokesmen from the embassy said "The visit by a small group of Australian MPs to Dharamsala, where the Tibetan Government in exile is located, and their meeting with Dalai constitute public support to Tibetan independence, “
“Tibet has been an inalienable part of China since ancient times. No country or government in the world recognizes Tibet as an independent state or recognizes the so-called Tibetan government in exile.”
"We firmly oppose any interference by outside forces in such issues and statements or actions by any country or people to support, by any means or in any name, the separatist activities of the Dalai Lama."
The Australian Parliamentary delegation consists of Labor MPs Michael Danby and Melissa Parke, Liberal MP Peter Slipper, Australian Greens Senators Scott Ludlam and Sarah Hanson-Young and Independent Senator Nick Xenophon, represents the Australian All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet.
During the official six day visit the delegates will meet with Professor Samdong Rinpoche the Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government in Exile and other Tibetan parliament members.
Mr Danby, said the visit would be the first of its kind by an Australian parliamentary delegation. It would also give Australian politicians a better insight into the Tibetan situation and how it can be resolved.
