The Dalai Lama's emissaries headed for Beijing for the sixth round of direct talks with China with major differences persisting on the Tibet issue, a spokesman for the Tibetan spiritual leader said on Thursday.
"It is important to continue our direct contact with China. It may take a long time to resolve the issue, but we are committed to the ongoing dialogue," said Nawang Rabgyal, an additional secretary in the exiled Tibetan government.
Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari and Kelsang Gyaltsen, the Dalai Lama's envoys, and two senior assistants were to leave for China yesterday, Desang Tsering, secretary to the Dalai Lama, said in a statement.
"There are major differences still to be resolved with China, but we are hopeful that a solution will be reached," Rabgyal said.
Earlier this month, the Dalai Lama said during his visit to New Zealand that the movement seeking autonomy for Tibet within China is making little progress against the "hard line" attitude of senior Chinese officials.
The direct contact between the Dalai Lama's emissaries and China began in September 2002.
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