China cuts off contact with Czech president over Dalai Lama meeting

The Chinese government has refused to maintain any contact with Czech President Petr Pavel following his meeting with the 14th Dalai Lama, which Beijing says undermined China’s sovereignty.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on August 12 that, despite repeated representations to Prague and strong protests from Beijing, Pavel went ahead with the meeting during a visit to India, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

“Despite the representations we have repeatedly made [to the Czech side] and China’s strong protest, Czech President Petr Pavel insisted on meeting with the Dalai Lama in India. This is a serious violation of the Czech authorities’ political commitments to the Chinese government and damages the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the People’s Republic of China,” Lin stated. “In connection with Petr Pavel’s provocative actions, China has decided not to maintain any contact with him.”

Lin added that Beijing had once again officially conveyed its categorical dissatisfaction to the Czech authorities.

In Tibetan Gelugpa Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is regarded as the reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. The transition of the Dalai Lama’s spiritual title (tulku) from a deceased holder to a chosen child can take several years, involving a series of verification rituals overseen by senior lamas.

The current 14th Dalai Lama has lived in India since 1959, after fleeing Tibet following the failure of an anti-Chinese uprising. Beijing considers him a “separatist threatening the unity of the nation.”

By Tamilla Hasanova