Dalai Lama shadow over Qian's US visit

Foreign Minister Qian Qichen will head to Washington next week amid new tension in Beijing's relations with the United States.

The Foreign Ministry yesterday condemned American diplomats for inviting the Dalai Lama to talks in Washington just one week before Mr Qian is to pay a state visit.

Ministry spokesman Cui Tiankai warned Washington to 'act with caution' in hosting Tibet's spiritual leader. 'We resolutely oppose US government leaders meeting the Dalai Lama,' Mr Cui said. 'Our position is very clear.' Mr Qian is to travel to Washington on Monday for talks with President Bill Clinton and other senior US officials.

The spokesman said China welcomed 'wide-ranging discussions' with Washington but refused direct comment when asked if a warm reception for the Dalai Lama would disrupt Mr Qian's visit.

'Improvements in Sino-US relations do not come easy,' said Mr Cui.

'We hope the US Government acts with caution in handling the Dalai Lama's visit by taking into consideration the long-term interests of those relations,' he said.