Mongolia should learn lesson from Dalai's visit: China

A day after Mongolia said it would never again allow the Dalai Lama to visit the country, China hoped it will learn a lesson from the Tibetan spiritual leader's visit last month after which Beijing punitively hiked tariff on Mongolian trucks passing through Chinese territory.

Beijing also urged Mongolia to stick to its promise.

"China hopes Mongolia will learn lesson from the Dalai Lama's visit last month and respect China's core interests," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said here on Wednesday.

"China attaches importance to the Mongolian Foreign Minister's explicit statement... China urges Mongolia to honour its commitment and make efforts to improve bilateral relations," Hua said.

On Tuesday, Mongolian Foreign Minister Tsend Munkh-Orgil said the Dalai Lama will never be let in again, even for religion.

Defying Beijing's warning, Mongolia in November hosted the Dalai Lama who met worshippers in the majorly Buddhist nation.

In turn, China hiked tariff on Mongolian trucks moving through its territory. The situation created a blockade of sorts for the poor nation.

Mongolia also sought India's help in tiding over the crisis caused by the hiked tariff.

The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959.

--IANS

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