China postpones EU summit over Tibet

BRUSSELS, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- China has postponed a summit meeting with the European Union because of differences over Tibet, EU officials said Wednesday.

The bone of contention is a plan by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and other EU leaders to meet with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, the Financial Times reported.

A statement issued by the European Union read: "The EU, which had set ambitious objectives for the 11th EU-China summit takes note and regrets China's decision. The EU will continue to promote a relationship of strategic partnership with China, particularly at a moment when the global economic and financial situation calls for very close co-operation between Europe and China."

A French government spokesman told the Financial Times Sarkozy still intends to meet the Dalai Lama Dec. 6 in Poland at a ceremony to be attended by former Nobel Peace prize winners.

Chinese-French relations were also strained earlier this year when the Beijing Olympics torch parade was met by violent protests in Paris following the repression of riots in Tibet, and anger over French criticism prompted a boycott of French businesses and goods by Chinese consumers, the newspaper said.