China warns Tibet party members not to harbour separatist 'fantasies' about Dalai Lama

A top Chinese official has vowed to severely punish members of the ruling Communist Party in Tibet who “harbour fantasies” about the troubled region’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, state media said on Wednesday.

In a front-page article in the Tibet Daily, Tibet’s party chief Chen Quanguo said China would stamp out any separatist inclinations.

“As for cadres who harbour fantasies about the 14th Dalai Group, follow the Dalai group, participate in supporting separatist infiltration sabotage activities, [they will be] strictly and severely punished according to the law and party disciplinary measures,” Chen was quoted as saying.

Chen’s denunciation of the Dalai Lama signals a hardening stance against the Nobel Peace Prize winner whom they label a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” who seeks to use violent methods to establish an independent Tibet.

The Dalai Lama had expressed hope last month about making a pilgrimage to China, saying that he had discussions with Chinese officials about a possible trip, according to media reports.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, says he simply wants genuine autonomy for Tibet, and denies espousing violence.