| French President Nicolas Sarkozy angers Chinese media |
| Monday, December 15, 2008 |
The Chinese press have been highly critical of French President Nicolas Sarkozy because he met with the Dalai Lama, and one paper went as far as to accuse the leader of France of duplicity.
English-language China Daily newspaper claimed: "The French president knowingly offended the people he now says he wants to befriend, without showing repentance."
Some French Internet sites are reported to have been hacked and anti-France material has been conspicuous on Chinese forums online.
But President Sarkozy has responded saying he has no intention of compromising the values of Europe.
The French president met with the 73-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader at a gathering of Nobel Peace Prize winners in Poland last Saturday.
China has accused the Dalai Lama being behind a campaign for Tibet to become fully independent of China.
The Dalai Lama also called upon the European Union to stand up to China with regard to human rights issues.
President Sarkozy has said he regrets the bad-feeling China is expressing towards him and his country over this matter, but he pointed out that France is not a "vassal" of China.
enjoyfrance.com |
| posted by The Times @ 10:30 AM |
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