Zhu quoted the Law on the Regional Autonomy for Ethnic Minorities as saying that the boundaries of a national autonomous area, once defined, can not be altered without authorization.

When an alteration is found necessary, it shall be proposed by the relevant department of the state organ at the next higher level after full consultation with the government of the national autonomous area before the proposal is submitted to the State Council for approval.

Zhu said the private representatives of the Dalai Lama were neither "the relevant department of the state organ at the next higher level", nor were they "the government of the national autonomous area".

"Without a legal status, they are inappropriate to bring up the issue," he said.

Zhu said high ranking officials from central authorities told a delegation of the Dalai Lama in the 1980s that it was impossible to change Tibet into a country, to carry out a "high degree of autonomy" or to create a larger Tibet autonomous region.

"However, more than two decades have passed, they still use this trick to talk in a roundabout way with central authorities, which shows that they lack sincerity," Zhu said.

"Our contacts and talks failed to make progress and they should assume full responsibility for it," he said.

Zhu stressed that the unification of the motherland, territorial integrity and national dignity are the greatest interests of the Chinese people.

"We will never make a concession."

The official said central authorities said the door for the Dalai Lama's return to a patriotic stance had always been open and would remain open in the future.

"However, the door for 'Tibet independence', 'half independence' and 'independence in a disguised form' had never been open, nor would it be open in the future," he said.

This is the third talk between the central government and the Dalai Lama's private envoys this year. Previous discussions were held in May and July.

(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2008)