Dalai Lama hopes for progress in talks with China

In a letter read out to a conference in Tokyo of Japanese supporters of Tibet, the Dalai Lama said that the round of talks that opened yesterday in Beijing "has come at a crucial time."  

"I hope this seventh round of talks will contribute in making some marked improvement in our discussions," said the Tibetan spiritual leader, who has lived in exile for nearly a half-century in India.  

China has said little about the talks in Beijing, which opened three months after major protests in Tibet against China's controversial rule over the predominantly Buddhist Himalayan territory.  

The crackdown on the unrest, which spread to neighbouring Tibetan-populated areas of western China, sparked global demonstrations that marred the month-long international journey of the Beijing Olympic torch.  

The latest talks come after an informal round of discussions was held on May 4 in the Chinese city of Shenzhen following global pressure to restart dialogue after the unrest.

"Tibet today is passing through a very critical period with the very survival of the Tibetan people at stake. The situation in Tibet continues to be grim," the Dalai Lama said.