UPI
May 28, 2009

BEIJING, May 28 (UPI) -- Paris Mayor Bertrand
Delanoe's invitation to the Dalai Lama to visit
the French capital could harm revived Sino-French
relations, Chinese observers warn.

The Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, was
invited to Paris in early June to collect the
title of honorary citizen of the city, which he
was awarded in 2008, China Daily said.

Earlier this month, Beijing urged Paris not to
interfere in China's internal affairs by meeting
the Dalai Lama, accused by officials of trying to
foment Tibetan independence from China.

The French foreign ministry sought to play down
the he significance of the invitation, one made
by the city and "should have no impact on the
caliber of our relations with China."