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| THE council is to risk a diplomatic incident
with the Chinese government by flying the Tibetan flag over the
Town Hall. Despite a warning from the Chinese embassy Town Hall chiefs have decided to hoist the flag for one day on Saturday to mark the anniversary of a separatist uprising in Tibet in 1959 The council says it has flown the flag for the last six years at the request of a Tibetan nationalist organisation and, after taking advice from Whitehall, sees no reason to stop now But their nerve was tested when Council Leader Jane Roberts was given a ticking off from a senior official at the Chinese embassy. She received a phone call on Wednesday from Zhu Qin, an embassy political officer, who told her the Chinese government would take a dim view of Camden's move. Mrs Qin, who read on the internet of Camden's plan, told the New Journal: "I have talked to Ms Jane Roberts about relations between our two countries. "I have expressed my strong hope the council will reconsider because it will not be in the best Interests of either side. Raising the flag is an encouragement to the forces working against the Chinese government. "We hope they treasure the relationship between our countries and that won't be hampered by small people who are not clear about the situation. We are reasonable and are talking about our response." But Ms Roberts, who was unshaken by the phone call, insisted the council would go ahead. "We have no reason not to. A number of other town halls are also flying the flag," she said. China occupied Tibet in 1951 but a separatist uprising was put down eight years later. Countries recognise Tibet as part of China but London-based breakaway movements continue to campaign |
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