In China, an Evolving Effort to Establish a Place on World Stage

HE YAFEI: The relationship between China and the world has changed fundamentally or historically. There is a historical change to that, meaning that China cannot develop itself without it getting involved with the world or without the support of international community.

And the international community, its peace, stability of the world cannot be achieved without the participation and contribution of China. So, naturally, there is an openness. You cannot close your doors anymore.

MARGARET WARNER: Do you think part of the reason the world has reacted and seen China in a new way as a result of this is because you've allowed open foreign media coverage in the region and people could see for themselves?

HE YAFEI: You can see, you know, China is open to media. Of course, any journalist, foreign or domestic, has to abide by Chinese laws and regulations from what you can see, reporting on the natural disaster now, it happened in Sichuan. There were virtually no limitations. People are free to report what they like to report.

MARGARET WARNER: One of the new regulations, as you call it, has been for the past several months that the foreign media is free to leave Beijing and go almost anywhere in the country without getting prior approval. Now, that expires in the middle of October after the Olympic Games. Is that going to be maintained?

HE YAFEI: Of course we will study the issue very carefully. And as I said, that fundamentally speaking we are open. Chinese society is open to journalists from abroad.

As to how we will continue the regulation, in what specific way, I believe relevant departments are still thinking about it. And very soon, very soon the rule will come out. And I think it will be in the direction of more opening, not closing the door.

HE YAFEI: Tibet is special case. Even before that regulation, there was -- because of special place, where there's difficult -- there are some rules, specific rules concerning the traveling, even for tourists. So it will continue. It will continue. Talking about Tibet, you know what had happened in March.

MARGARET WARNER: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. But what will continue?

HE YAFEI: Some specific rules about the permission to go into Tibet will continue to apply for the time being. But, as you say, you know, tourism is being restored gradually in Tibet after the violent crimes happened in March. We have taken measures to restore the social order in Tibet. The life in Tibet is returning to normal, to normalcy.

MARGARET WARNER: So why wouldn't you want foreign journalists in there to report that?

HE YAFEI: Well, you have seen reporting from foreign journalists, several groups having organized. For the time being, the conditions are not there, are not right.

Basically, you know, the things will be better, will be getting better. In the past, because of the March incident, there are security issues and other issues. And it will be open pretty soon, I believe.

MARGARET WARNER: One thing that happened this week while I've been here is that the U.S.-China or China-U.S. human rights dialogue resumed. What do you expect to come out of that?

I understand that the Americans raised concerns that, in fact, there have been tighter restrictions imposed on dissidents here in advance of the games.

HE YAFEI: It's not true. It's not true. The dialogue, the latest round of human rights dialogue was a success. It's pretty open discussion, pretty open discussion.

They also discuss several single cases. But, you know, China being a society or a country based on rule of law, we do not welcome interference in our internal affairs. And a legal issue has to be addressed by our judicial authority.

And my question is: Does your government still regard him as a splittist, I think you referred to him as, who is absolutely bent on Tibetan independence, even though he says he isn't? And is that your view of him?

HE YAFEI: You cannot judge a person only by what he says. You have to look very carefully at what he does.

As far as we know, Dalai Lama certainly is or his people certainly engaged in separatist activities, especially what had happened in March, last March in Tibet. Lots of people died because of the riots, because of violence.

Still, my government on the Central Committee of CPC exercised great restraint and patience. And we initiated -- at his request, of course, we agreed to have another round of dialogue. Another round of talks is scheduled soon, is going to happen soon. So dialogue is continuing.

MARGARET WARNER: Is China running the risk that he might be replaced by some of the more you might call extreme elements in the Tibetan movement who really are openly for independence?

HE YAFEI: Well, that question I cannot answer. You have to ask him to what extent he controls his own people.

MARGARET WARNER: But I mean, if China doesn't -- no, but I mean, if China doesn't really engage with him, could this be counterproductive?

HE YAFEI: We are engaged with him, at least with his private representative. The talks being held is between responsible persons or leaders of China's certain departments with the private representative of Dalai Lama.

And we appealed to him. We ask him that he should stop, first of all, planning and inciting violence in Tibet and, if possible, not to disrupt or sabotage the Olympics, and a few other things.

If he can really show with his action what he says in public, that will certainly be, you know, paving the way for a better dialogue, especially for the next round.