Chinese Vice Foreign Minister says doors to talk always openWednesday, 9 June 2010, 11:19 a.m.

Speaker Penpa Tsering (right) with Mrs.Chungdak Koren at NUPI in Oslo. Photo by Oystein Alme of Voice of Tibet

Dharamshala: Chinese
Vice Foreign Minister, H. E. Fu Ying said, doors to talk for the
Sino-Tibetandialogue always open during a lecture at the Norwegian
Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) in Oslo on Monday, 7 June. Fu,
is the second female vice foreign minister of China, and was appointed
on the position in January this year. She holds responsibilities over
the areas covering Europe, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan-related foreign
affairs, translation and interpretation. Fu, born in the Inner Mongolia
Autonomous Region of China has previously held positions like
Director-General of Department of Asian Affairs at Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Ambassador extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of China to
Australia, to UK and Northern Ireland. Fu said, “The door for
talks is always open, it has been open for years – for decades, and
there are difficulties and there sincerity from the Chinese side to
continue the dialogue.”  when asked for the Tibet issue.“Tibet
is a very remote region and it is important for Tibet to find its
unique way of making economic progress, and at the same time preserve
its culture and traditions. It’s a difficult process,” she said.  “At
the same time the Tibetan culture is very unique, very valuable.
Recently there was a National Conference on Progress in Tibet, and
there will be lot of investment and lot of help. 37% of the Tibetan
land is already placed under National Reserves protection, in order to
protect the ecological environment. I like Tibet, I am in love with the
land, and I am planning my holidays in Tibet this summer.”  Fu added.Mr.
Penpa Tsering, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile while attending
the lecture met briefly with the Vice Minister Fu after the lecture. Speaker
when asked for his comment on meeting with Fu said, “She seemed to be
sincere and if what she said is meant with the right spirit, it could
be a possible positive shift in the Chinese authorities’ approach to
continue the dialogue for a negotiated settlement of the Tibet issue.” Mrs. Chungdak Koren from the Norwegian Tibet Committee also attended the lecture with the speaker. -Based on report by Oystein Alme, Voice of Tibet, Norway.