Talking about talks

It would have been amusing had it not been for the underlying seriousness of the subject. As China resumes its long-stalled talks with the Dalai Lama’s special envoys, Beijing has one piece of advice for the Dalai Lama: “Cherish” the fact that they have another opportunity to hold talks.

“We hope the Dalai Lama will cherish this opportunity and respond positively to the requests of the central government,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu has said.

It is an interesting choice of words. It has a ring of patronizing to it. It is almost as if a stern parent is telling an errant child after a timeout, “Now that you have learned you lesson please cherish tis lollipop."

The talks between the two sides broke down in November, 2008. It was not mentioned what caused it but at that time it was widely believed that the Tibetan demand for autonomy and assertion that it was not in conflict with the Chinese constitution was the reason.

The Dalai Lama’s two envoys Lodi G. Gyari and Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen arrived in Beijing yesterday and are expected to spend several days in the Chinese capital. It is not clear what the two sides will talk about. If the past is any indication, they will attempt to lay a foundation for future talks.  The bar of expectation is so low in any China-Dalai Lama interactions that many are happy that it is happening at all.