Beijing, Feb 1 (IANS) China will never make any concession on the issue of its sovereignty, Communist leaders Monday told envoys of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
A statement from the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee made it plain that demands for autonomy entertained by the Dalai Lama could not be met, Xinhua news agency reported.

The statement referred to achievements made in Tibet “over the past years under the leadership of the CPC and reiterated that no concessions would be made on issues concerning China’s national sovereignty”, Xinhua said.

The Dalai Lama’s envoys, Lodi Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen, expressed their opinions on relevant issues, Xinhua said without elaboration.

The envoys arrived here Jan 26 for a ninth round of talks with the Chinese administration.

In November 2008, the discussion between the two sides collapsed after China’s rejection of the Tibetan demands for autonomy.

The latest meeting followed a reshuffle of Chinese officials in Tibet, including the appointment of military veteran Pema Thinley as governor of the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. His government-in-exile is not recognised by any country.