China warns US against meddling in Tibet

The Chinese government has seriously warned the United States against meddling in Tibetan affairs, saying that its guards the interests and rights of ethnic minorities in China.

“We oppose any country or any person using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China’s internal affairs and impairing China’s social stability and ethnic unity,” AFP quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Hong Lei, as saying on Wednesday.

The unusually stern warning comes after Washington urged China to respect the rights of Tibetan minority and said that it is “seriously concerned” over two Buddhist monks who were planning to self-immolate over the lack of religious freedoms.

“The Chinese government protects the lawful rights and interests of ethnic minorities,” Hong added.

Many Tibetans in China have protested what they say is an erosion of their culture, while Beijing stresses that their living conditions has improved considerably as a result of huge government investments.

The development comes as the Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi earlier demanded the US to cancel a multi-billion-dollar deal with Taiwan, which includes upgrades for the island’s F-16 squadrons.

The Pentagon recently informed the US Congress that it planned to upgrade Taiwan’s aging F-16 fighter jets in a deal worth USD5.3 billion. China reduced its military cooperation with the Pentagon over the arms sales to Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory.