LONDON — China lacks the moral authority needed to be considered a superpower, the Dalai Lama said Thursday in remarks to British legislators in which he also noted that the Summer Olympics provide an opportunity to press Beijing over human rights.
“Chinese leaders want to be a good member of the whole world, and the Chinese ambition is to become a superpower,” the Dalai Lama told Parliament's foreign affairs select committee.
He said China meets most of the criteria to become a leading power, but still lacks the moral standing required to achieve the global status it craves.
“Big population, there,” he said. “Army, there. Economic power, there. The fourth thing is moral authority. In order to become a superpower, moral authority is very important.”
Members of the Western Shugden Society protest as the Dalai Lama arrives at the Royal Albert Hall in London, on May 22, 2008. China's response to the earthquake disaster shows encouraging signs of openness, but Beijing still lacks the moral authority of a true superpower, the Dalai Lama said Thursday. Speaking on the third day of a visit to Britain, Tibet's spiritual leader — who faced protests during the day — warned that China's 'ruthless suppression' in Tibet would only fan calls for independence, which he did not back. (SHAUN CURRY/AFP/Getty Images)
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The Dalai Lama is on an 11-day visit to Britain. He meets with Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Friday at Lambeth Palace, home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.
Some opposition politicians have accused Mr. Brown of trying to avoid provoking China by meeting the Dalai Lama at Lambeth Palace rather than at his official Downing Street residence.
“For me, no difference,” the Dalai Lama said, when asked about Brown's choice of venue. “It's all meeting and talking; that's the important thing.”
The Dalai Lama also said he believes world leaders should attend the Beijing Olympics if they believe meeting with Chinese leaders will help improve the country's human rights policies.
He told the British Broadcasting Corp. that he believes the Summer Games could provide a chance to press China over Tibet.
“If they feel to talk and meet with Chinese leaders is more effective, then go there,” he said, referring to the Olympics.
“The world should take this opportunity to remind the Chinese government of its poor record on human rights and religious freedom and the environment.”
Meanwhile, the 72-year-old exiled Tibetan leader said he sensed that China is slowly changing its approach.
“I think at least decade by decade,” he said. “Hopefully now (this will) lead to a more transparent attitude in other fields, including the Tibet case.”
Chinese officials seemed unimpressed by the Dalai Lama's earlier statement that he would consider attending the Beijing Olympics, if a number of conditions were met.
“If the Dalai side truly wants to make some contribution to his motherland, then he should really stop separatist activities, stop plotting and provoking violent activities and stop disrupting the Beijing Olympics,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang.
The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in Dharamsala, India, since 1959, eight years after Chinese troops occupied Tibet.
Protests against Chinese rule began in March in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, on the 49th anniversary of a failed uprising against Chinese rule.
Events turned violent and touched off pro-Tibetan demonstrations in three neighbouring provinces — and around the world during the Olympic torch relay.
