The government hopes the Dalai Lama will take the opportunity of entering talks and take concrete measures to build the foundation for future dialogue, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Tuesday.

"We hope the Dalai side cherishes this opportunity, sees the situation clearly, changes its stance and takes concrete measures to set the basis for future dialogue by ceasing all activities aimed at splitting China, plotting and inciting violence, and sabotaging the Beijing Olympics," Jiang said.

On Friday, the Xinhua News Agency learned that the central government will speak with the Dalai Lama's representative in the coming days.

Jiang denied claims that the decision had been made due to rising pressure from the international community.

"The government's decision to make contact and talk with the Dalai side was made in an effort to deal with a domestic affair," she said.

"The government will never surrender to any international pressure."

(China Daily April 30, 2008)