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Mainland opposes Dalai Lama's visit to Taiwan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-09-16 11:08

BEIJING: The Chinese mainland Wednesday expressed once again its resolute opposition to Dalai Lama's visit to Taiwan.

"We resolutely oppose to Dalai Lama's visit to Taiwan in any form and in any status," Yang Yi, spokesman with the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, told a press conference here.

Yang said that the recent visit of the Dalai Lama to the island at the invitation of some members of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party had hurt cross-Straits relations and incurred public opposition and condemnation in Taiwan.

Related readings:  Delegation eases strain over Dalai visit  China firmly opposes Dalai's meeting any foreign officials  Mainland cancels events following Dalai's Taiwan visit  Dalai Lama urged to keep politics out during visit

Peaceful development of cross-Straits relations accord with the common interests of both sides, Yang said, expressing the hope that both sides of the Taiwan Straits would continuously make joint efforts to push for the advancement of peaceful cross-Straits relations.

He also pledged that the mainland would continue its efforts to facilitate the rehabilitation of typhoon-hit Taiwan if requested.