Dalai Lama says trade deal with European Union is good for China

Jan M. Olsen

Sunday, May 21, 2000 | 10:59 a.m.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - The Dalai Lama said Sunday the trade deal between Beijing and the European Union to open Chinese markets to European goods would help China become a democratic nation.

"That is a good thing," the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader said. "For many years, I have always insisted, emphasized that China, the most populated nation, is a very important nation."

"Therefore China should not be isolated, China must be in the mainstream of the world community," he said as he wrapped up a three-day visit to this Scandinavian nation.

The agreement clinched Friday cleared Beijing's biggest hurdle to joining the World Trade Organization and increased pressure on the U.S. Congress to give China permanent normal trading rights.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 with thousands of supporters after a failed revolt against Chinese rule. From his headquarters at Dharmsala, in northern India, he has headed a nonviolent struggle for Tibetan autonomy, and says he is prepared to hold talks with China on autonomy for his homeland.

Asked whether the trade agreement was positive for Tibet, he replied, "In the long run, certainly yes. Forces of democracy in China get more encouragement through that way."

As part of the deal, tariffs on 150 items that Europe produces - from gin to shoes - will fall an average of 40 percent and mobile telephone companies will get quicker access to China's markets once China joins the WTO.

"The new agreement is a further positive development," Dalai Lama said at a news conference as he ended a three-day visit.

The 1989 Nobel peace laureate, who was on a European tour, spoke to reporters at Copenhagen's airport after a 50-minute meeting with Danish Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.

Nyrup Rasmussen met with the Dalai Lama despite objections by the Chinese government, which says any support for the Dalai Lama would be meddling in internal Chinese affairs.