(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-26 06:36

BEIJING - China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang on Tuesday urged the international community to see the true features of the secessionist clique of the Dalai Lama through the recent riots in Lhasa and other ethnic Tibetan areas.

The riots in Lhasa and other areas were organized and planned violent crimes plotted and incited by the Dalai clique, said Qin Gang at a press conference here.

"We hope the international community can see the true features of the Dalai Lama's secessionist clique and make a clear distinction between right and wrong."

"We also hope relevant countries not to give support in any form to the secessionist activities of the Dalai clique," the spokesman said.

He said the riots were aimed at undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, disrupting social stability and jeopardizing the life and property of local people.

In the violence that erupted in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, on March 14, rioters injured 623 people including 241 police and armed police and killed 18 others. They also set fire at more than 300 locations, mostly private houses, stores and schools, smashed vehicles and damaged public facilities.

More than 100 countries around the world had extended their support to the Chinese government in handling the unrest according to law, condemned the violence and admitted that Tibet is part of China, according to the Foreign Ministry.

On the appeal of some countries for dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama, Qin said the door always remains open for such dialogue if the Dalai Lama really gives up his secessionist position and completely stops secessionist activities.

"We have to listen not only what he says, but also watch what he does," Qin said.

As some countries have invited the Dalai Lama to go for a visit, Qin said the Dalai Lama is not a pure religious person, but an exiled politician who has long been engaged in activities of separating China and disrupting national unity.

It is the hope of China that the countries concerned recognize the true features of the Dalai Lama and do not support his secessionist activities," he said.

On the violent attacks of "Tibet independence" groups against China's diplomatic missions in some countries, Qin said China has made serious representations to relevant countries and asked them to protect the security and dignity of Chinese diplomatic missions in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

The countries concerned have expressed regret and apologized for the attacks, and pledged to strengthen protection of Chinese diplomatic missions and personnel.