Ties with the Vatican not a priority but Dalai Lama a danger for Beijing
Hangzhou (AsiaNews/Agencies) There is no timetable to establish diplomatic relations with the Vatican nor is the issue on China's agenda, a Chinese official said. Qi Xiaofei, deputy chairman of Religious Culture Communication Association, made the remarks at a press conference at the opening of the World Buddhist Forum in China.
Mr Qi, who is also deputy director of the State Administration of Religious Affairs, said: "We have two clear and consistent principles on handling Sino-Vatican relations. The Vatican must sever the so-called 'diplomatic relations' with Taiwan and recognise the Chinese government as the sole legitimate government of China and [it should also] not interfere in our internal affairs in the name of religion."
Qi's statement seems to counter rumours according to which Beijing was planning to renew ties with the Holy See in 2008, the year of the Beijing Olympics. His words go even further than those of his direct superior, Ye Xiaowen, who a few days ago in the China Daily newspaper broke the news that there were contacts between China and the Vatican and that an agreement on the issue of appointing bishops might be reached.
The World Buddhist Forum, which opened today in Hangzhou and Zhoushan (Zhejiang) and scheduled to last till April 16, is expected to draw Buddhists from at least 30 countries. The event is China's first of the kind.
But for analysts, the forum is an attempt by Beijing to portray itself as a protector of religion, especially Buddhism, and isolate Dalai Lama, the spiritual and political leader of Tibetan Buddhism, whose country China has militarily occupied for decades.
Since its invasion, Beijing has thwarted the development of Tibetan Buddhism, taken over local monasteries and forced the population to toe the line in an attempt to wear away the Dalai Lama's authority. For this reason, the latter was not invited the Hangzhou forum
Qi Xiaofei justified the government ban saying that the presence of the Dalai Lama would bring "disharmony", adding that the Dalai Lama "is not only a religious figure, but is also a long-time stubborn secessionist who has tried to split his Chinese motherland and break the unity among different ethnic groups."
By contrast, Gyaltsen Norbu, the Panchen Lama Beijing picked in 1995 in lieu of the child the Dalai lama recognised as the reincarnation of the Panchen, is among the invited guests.
Although the 17-year-old Gyaltsen has been making the round of conferences, he has met with little success. In Hangzhou his fellow Buddhists made every attempt to ignore him.
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