Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has urged China to talk to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, while acknowledging that there were human rights abuses in the recent violence in Lhasa.
"I think it would be appropriate for the Chinese government to engage the Dalai Lama or his representatives in an informal set of discussions about future possibilities when it comes to internal arrangements within Tibet," Rudd said.
"We recognise China's sovereignty over Tibet. But it is difficult, and it's complex, and it certainly will be one of the matters, which I will be raising when I visit China myself at the end of this visit abroad," he said.
The prime minister, who remains under attack from Opposition for missing Japan as a part of his current tour, also acknowledged that there were "human rights abuses in Tibet".
Meanwhile, Australia has decided that it will bid for securing a seat on the United Nations Security Council, seeking a greater role in the world affairs for itself.
The place would be for 2013-14, but Rudd said lobbying had to start early.
He stressed that there was no guarantee of success, but Australia was serious. "You have to declare your intention and run like fury, and that's what we intend to do," Rudd said.
He said he had informed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a meeting in New York, of Australia's intention to nominate for a place on the UN Security Council in 2013-14.
