In a diplomatic spat with Slovakia, China has threatened what it describes as an "appropriate response" after Slovak president Andrej Kiska held a meeting during the weekend with Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. A spokesman for the Slovak president pointed out, however, that the Chinese ambassador to Bratislava had been informed about the planned meeting. He noted that it was not in any way meant as a challenge to Slovakia's unequivocal attitude towards the One China policy. He also made it clear that the meeting between president Kiska and the Dalai Lama was a private one.
A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry had said in a communiqué that her country wishes for - quote - "the Slovak side to clearly recognise the anti-Chinese separatist nature of the Dalai Lama and earnestly respect China's core interests". The Tibetan leader has repeatedly denied that his aim is either the independence or separation of Tibet from China. In a lecture he delivered in Bratislava he said he has retired from politics and now intends to concentrate on religious and cultural issues.
Political analyst Richard Turcsanyi wonders what impact the spat will have on an upcoming meeting between the Slovak and Chinese Prime Ministers. "The meeting is to take place in two weeks' time at the China - Central and Eastern Europe summit. It will be interesting to see whether the Chinese leader decides to take the step of not meeting Prime Minister Fico, says Turcsanyi.
On his part, president Kiska described his informal get-together with the Dalai Lama on Facebook as a privilege, and said it was devoted to spiritual matters.
