His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama hits out at China 'death sentence'

"Since March 2008 I have the feeling that a very old nation and its heritage and culture have received a death sentence."

The Dalai Lama said Saturday that China has imposed a "death sentence" on Tibet as he arrived in Paris for a visit that China has strongly opposed.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader is to be named an honorary citizen of the French capital despite warnings from the Chinese government that his arrival will harm relations with France.

On his arrival in Paris, the Dalai Lama criticised China about events in Tibet since protests were staged last year.

"Since March 2008 I have the feeling that a very old nation and its heritage and culture have received a death sentence," told reporters at Paris airport.

"The Chinese government makes a hard line policy, but the Chinese people are ignorant of the situation. The international community must go there to investigate, without restrictions," he added.

The Dalai Lama, 73, is to be made an honorary citizen of Paris on Sunday.

He is also to meet pro-Tibetan French lawmakers, members of the Chinese and Tibetan community in France and address a gathering at a Paris sports stadium.

Officials have said it is a coincidence that the Dalai Lama is in France at the same time as US President Barack Obama and that there are no plans for the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader to meet top political representatives.


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