China urges certain Czech senators to fully recognize the anti-China and separatist nature of the Dalai clique, stop interfering in Xizang-related issues, stop sending any wrong signals to "Xizang independence" forces in any form, and take concrete actions to safeguard the sound and steady development of China-Czech relations, a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in Czech Republic said in a statement published on Friday.

The spokesperson made the remarks in response to that on March 25, the Czech Senate passed a so-called draft resolution on the selection of the 15th Dalai Lama and the situation of ethnic minorities following China's adoption of the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law. The so-called "Geneva representative of the Tibetan government-in-exile" attended the Czech meeting.

We have noted the relevant developments and express strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the fact that certain Czech senators, disregarding China's solemn position on Xizang-related issues, have wantonly interfered in China's internal affairs, the spokesperson said. It must be emphasized that Xizang is an inalienable part of China's territory, and Xizang-related affairs are purely China's internal affairs, which brook no interference from any external forces.

As is well known, the 14th Dalai Lama is not merely a religious figure, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion. The so-called "Tibetan government-in-exile" is a separatist political organization with an organized structure and political program aimed at achieving "Xizang independence." Neither the Dalai Lama nor the so-called "Tibetan government-in-exile" has any right to represent the people of Xizang, still less to decide Xizang's future and destiny, said the spokesperson.

China is a unified multi-ethnic country in which all ethnic groups enjoy relations of equality, unity, mutual assistance and harmony. The Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting ethnic minority cultures and, in accordance with the law, safeguards the freedom of all ethnic groups to use and develop their own spoken and written languages. The Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law is intended to promote ethnic unity and progress and to prohibit acts that undermine ethnic unity or incite ethnic division, said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson continued that at present, China's Xizang region enjoys robust economic development, social harmony and stability, steadily improving living standards, and the protection and promotion of its cultural traditions. The rights and freedoms of people of all ethnic groups, including freedom of religious belief and the freedom to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, are fully guaranteed, said the spokesperson.

Global Times