China blasts Australia over Tibet stance

China has blasted Australia for making "ill-founded" comments about Tibet after
Canberra raised the issue during a review of Beijing's human rights record in
Geneva.
And Australia has hit back over China's refusal to let a pro-Tibet group take part
in an event in Canberra on the sidelines of an annual human rights dialogue between
the two nations.
Australia and Canada were among nations to take hardline positions on China's
progress on human rights during a periodic United Nations assessment in Geneva.
The Canada.com website reported Australia raised reports of Chinese harassment,
arbitrary arrest, detention and punishment of religious minorities, specifically
mentioning Tibet.
Canberra's candid stance on Tibet reportedly prompted China's UN ambassador, Li
Baodong, to accuse Australia of making "ill-founded comments on the question of
Tibet".
The Geneva review comes as Australia and China conclude their 12th annual dialogue
on human rights in Canberra on Tuesday.
China's Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister Liu Jieyi, who headed the Chinese
delegation, told reporters in Canberra, the periodic review enabled countries to
learn from each other.
"This review process should be based on objective and impartial assessments of the
efforts of the countries involved and offer constructive suggestions," he said.
"Of course those accusations that do not square with the facts are not in conformity
with the principle of such practice and will not be acceptable to the majority of
... parties who have undergone this periodic review."
The Rudd government has repeatedly raised its concerns about the treatment of
Tibetans with China despite its obvious displeasure about Canberra's position.
Last year during a visit to Beijing, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd drew a strong rebuff
from China when he raised the situation in Tibet during a speech in Mandarin at
Peking University.
Mr Liu said Beijing didn't regard the Tibetan issue as being about human rights,
religious freedom or culture.
"I believe the Australian side is very much aware of the Chinese position on this
issue," he said.
"An important thing in understanding of this issue is we must base our opinions on
solid facts."
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, who met Mr Liu on Monday, told the minister he was
disappointed the Chinese delegation had not allowed the Australia Tibet Council to
attend a reception for non-government organisations involved in the dialogue.
"I regarded that as an unfortunate backward step," he told reporters.
The Australia Tibet Council was permitted to attend similar functions in both 2004
and 2006.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the Australian
government had "pushed very hard for the Australia Tibet Council's attendance at
this year's reception".
"But on this occasion it was not possible to obtain Chinese government agreement to
their participation despite the fact they attended similar functions in 2004 and
2006," he said.
"The government is disappointed with this outcome."