By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-14 07:13

SANYA, Hainan: President Hu Jintao on Saturday said in talks with visiting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd that the conflict between the central government and the Dalai group concerns national unification and dismissed links to religion and human rights.

"Our conflict with the Dalai clique is not an ethnic problem; it's not a religious problem, nor is it a human rights problem. It is a (conflict) to either safeguard national unification or split the motherland," Hu said, adding the Tibet issue is an entirely internal affair.

He made the comments during a meeting with Rudd ahead of the Boao Forum for Asia's opening ceremony on Saturday.

Hu said the incidents in Lhasa and some other places were neither "peaceful demonstrations" nor "non-violent" actions, as some had proclaimed, but rather, violent crimes.

"No responsible government would sit by idly during such crimes, which gravely encroach on human rights, gravely disrupt social order and gravely jeopardize the life, property and security of the masses," he said.

Explaining the door is open for dialogue between the central government and the Dalai Lama, Hu said: "The barriers to contact and talks aren't on our side but rather, are on the Dalai Lama's side."

"As long as the Dalai side stops activities to split the motherland, stops activities to scheme and instigate violence, and stops activities to sabotage the Beijing Olympic Games, we are ready to continue contact and talks with him at any time," Hu said.

Rudd, who called his hour-long talk with Hu a "very good meeting", said Australia recognizes China's sovereignty over Tibet and Taiwan, and adheres to the one-China policy. He later told reporters that he hoped Australia would become a sincere friend of China.

The prime minister also said developing, friendly and cooperative ties with China is a long-term strategy of Australia.

Rudd explained his position on the Beijing Olympic Games had never changed; he believed boycotts wouldn't work, and he wished Beijing a successful Games.

Xinhua contributed to the story

(China Daily 04/14/2008 page3)