A small step: More talks ahead for China, Dalai Lama envoys

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Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche of the India-based Tibetan government-in-exile said the two sides had agreed to meet again following daylong discussions conducted in a "good atmosphere" Sunday in the southern city of Shenzhen.

"Like we said before, we're not expecting much outcome from these talks but this is a slow process and we are happy to continue the dialogue," he told reporters in Dharmsala, India, adding that details on future meetings will come later.

Both China's state broadcaster and the official Xinhua News Agency confirmed a second round of talks had been agreed on. Xinhua said, however, that Chinese officials told the Dalai Lama's envoys that recent protests had created new obstacles to communication.

International critics have accused China of heavy-handed tactics in quelling anti-government riots and protests in Tibet and Tibetan areas of western China that began in March. Some experts believe Beijing agreed to meet with the envoys to ease that criticism ahead of the Beijing Olympics in August.

Still, it is the first time the two sides have sat down together since talks broke down in 2006 after six rounds. Despite China's vilification of the Dalai Lama, both sides have kept back channels for dialogue open.

The Dalai Lama, the Buddhist spiritual leader who fled Tibet in 1959 amid a Chinese crackdown, has previously said he wants some form of autonomy that would allow Tibetans to freely practice their culture, language and religion.

Speaking from Brussels, Belgium, on Monday, Kesang Yangkyi Takla, foreign minister for the Tibetan government-in-exile, said the weekend meeting primarily focused on ways to improve conditions in Tibet.

"We feel that until and unless the current crisis ... in Tibet improves, it is difficult to start negotiations. This is where we are focusing at the moment," she said. "We hope that the government in China will consider this and give a concrete reply so that things improve in Tibet."

Xinhua reported that Chinese officials "answered patiently" questions raised by the Dalai Lama's envoys. However, the Chinese side told the envoys that the March 14 riots "had given rise to new obstacles for resuming contacts and consultations with the Dalai side," Xinhua said.

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