Agencies

BEIJING, Mar 25: Ignoring repeated calls for direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama, China on Tuesday asked the international community not to provide "any support in any form" to the Tibetan spiritual leader.

"We hope the international community will clearly be aware of the nature of the Dalai Lama clique (supporters of the Dalai) and tell (distinguish) the right from the wrong," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters in Beijing, as the US and European nations stepped up pressure on Beijing to opt for the dialogue route.

Repeating the charge that the riots in Tibetan capital of Lhasa and in other parts were "premeditated and organised" by "the Dalai clique," Qin asked "Can killing, looting and arson be considered a high moral ground?"

He also urged the international community not to provide "any support in any form" to the Dalai.

"As long as he (the Dalai Lama) gives up separatist propositions and ceases separatist activities, the door for the dialogue is always open," Qin said.

"You have quoted some expressions of some countries you claim present international community. I don't think they speak for the whole international community. 110 countries have expressed support to the stance of Chinese government. So, the countries and governments you mentioned cannot speak for the world," Qin told a journalist, who asked about calls from the US, European nations and Japan.

Qin claimed that 110 countries had said they opposed the "criminal acts of violence of the Dalai Lama clique like looting, smashing and beating" and they also recognised Tibet as an inseparable part of China.