Australia Backs Dalai Lama Visit

China criticised Australia for allwing the Dalai Lama to visit. The exiled Tibetan Buddist leader is said to always be welcome in Australia. Tuesday, China warned that the visit could damage relations between them and Australia. Prime Minister, John Howard, stressed that his government acknowledges Chinese sovereignty over Tibet. Chine, however, believes its strong views on this very sensitive issue have been ignored by Australia. This situation could very well bear watching in the near future.