China today asserted that there is no such thing as "Tibetan question" as advocated by the Dalai Lama and would not brook any external interference as it considered all issues related to Himalayan region as its internal affair.
Answering a question about the recurring self immolations by Buddhist monks including a nun opposing Chinese rule in Tibet, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu told a media briefing here today the place where the suicides have taken place was outside Tibet.
"This case (self immolation by a nun) took place in Sichuan province instead of Tibet", she said referring to the Kirti Monastery in Aba county where the unrest by monks is taking place.
The prefecture with large number of Tibetan population is located in Sichuan province neighbouring Tibet.
Kirti is a monastery of the Gelugpa also known as the Yellow Hat Sect of Buddhism. It is one of 42 monasteries in Aba County, an area with 5,226 registered monks.
Nine monks, including a nun burnt themselves in recent months protesting against Chinese rule of Tibet as well as demanding return of the Dalai Lama.
Elaborating China's stand, Jiang said "as per so-called cases (monks) our position is clear, Tibetan related issues are China's internal affair and there is no such thing as Tibetan question played up by some forces."
"China opposes the splittist activities and will firmly uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity and oppose any country to use Tibet related questions to interfere in China's internal affairs," she said.
"We will protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens according to law and we will also practice the policy of religious freedom for all Chinese people.
We will also urge the local government to protect the property and human safety and uphold normal social and religious order," she said.
