The Dalai Lama has arrived in Australia, a day after the United States and European Union called for "results-oriented" talks between China and his representatives.
The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader is scheduled to meet with Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans, who is serving as acting prime minister while Kevin Rudd and his deputy (Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard) are abroad. The Nobel laureate also will meet with Foreign Minister Stephen Smith.
On Tuesday, the United States and the European Union issued a joint statement calling on China to have "results-oriented" talks soon with the Dalai Lama's representatives.
Also Tuesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel telephoned Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to encourage him to continue dialogue with the Dalai Lama.
China's foreign ministry said China considers Tibetan affairs to be an internal issue and opposes outside interference.
A seventh round of talks between the Dalai Lama's representatives and the Chinese government was postponed last week because of the May 12th earthquake in southwestern China.
Some observers say China has hardened its attitude towards him as the world's attention shifts from Tibet to the quake.