Tibetan leader expects more back-channel talks with China, but not hopeful on results

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DHARAMSHALA, India - The Tibetan government-in-exile could hold more back-channel talks with China this year on greater autonomy for Tibet, although they are unlikely to yield results given Beijings unyielding stance, the head of the government said on Friday.

Central Tibetan Administration chief Penpa Tsering was speaking to Reuters ahead of the 90th birthday this weekend of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

Tens of thousands of Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama, live in northern India after fleeing Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule.

The Dalai Lama and exiled Tibetans have dropped calls for independence from China, but are seeking genuine autonomy to protect and preserve their unique culture, religion and national identity.

Tsering said indirect talks with China have not resulted in anything concrete yet, and although more are expected he did not expect them to yield results.

There seems to be no space for any negotiation whatsoever, no common sense, unfortunately, he said in an interview at a library dedicated to preserving traditional Tibetan texts.

So if there is no space, it doesnt make too much sense to put too much effort into it. But we still keep the back channels going to send messages here and there, but nothing of consequence.

The foreign ministry of China, which brands the Dalai Lama a separatist, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Dalai Lama said on Wednesday that upon his death, he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual head and that only his Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He previously said that person would be born outside China.

Beijing says it has