Dalai Lama's envoys in China for fresh talks

[cory777]

Source: AFP

BEIJING (AFP) – Envoys of Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama have arrived in China after a lengthy hiatus to resume talks on the political status of the troubled Himalayan region, officials said Tuesday.

The US government, announcing the envoys' arrival for the ninth round of talks, expressed its strong backing for the on-off negotiations.

"The United States strongly supports dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama's representatives to address longstanding differences," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said in a statement.

"The administration hopes this meeting will produce positive results and provide a foundation for future discussions to resolve outstanding issues."

Representatives of China's government and the Tibetan Buddhist leader, who lives in northern India, could not be reached for immediate comment as envoys Lodi G. Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen prepared to meet Chinese officials.

The Dalai Lama's spokesman, Tenzin Taklha, said Monday that the talks were part of an "important process of trying to find a mutually agreed solution".

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100126/wl_asia_afp/chinatibetdalaidiplomacytalks