Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, said he believes the struggle over Tibet could be resolved in a few days if China becomes a more open society.
The Tibetan spiritual leader made his comments in an address to a youth group in Poland's Baltic city of Gdansk. The Dalai Lama and other Nobel laureates gathered there Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of the presentation of the Nobel Peace prize to former Polish president and trade union leader Lech Walesa.
Thursday, the Dalai Lama told the European Parliament that Tibet is not working against China in its bid for autonomy, but is trying to help the country by promoting a harmonious society -- a policy objective of Chinese President Hu Jintao.
The Dalai Lama, who is visiting a number of European counties, is to meet Saturday in Gdansk with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
China has warned France that multi-billion-dollar trade ties could be affected if Mr. Sarkozy goes through with the meeting. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao, told reporters Thursday that trade between the two nations could only prosper under good bilateral relations.
China has called repeatedly for cancellation of Mr. Sarkozy's talks with Tibet's exiled spiritual leader. In response to the planned meeting, China has pulled out of an upcoming European Union summit. France currently holds the rotating EU presidency.
Beijing accuses the Dalai Lama of advocating Tibet's separation from Beijing. The Dalai Lama says he is simply seeking greater autonomy for Tibet, not independence.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
