Chinese officials have warned local celebrities travelling to India to be cautious about taking part in events attended by associates of the Dalai Lama as it would amount to backing separatism.
"It is the Dalai Lama and his clique's old trick to use religious events to spread separatism. They may draw celebrities to their side in the name of religious belief to gain influence and seek support," Wang Chunhuan, deputy director of the Theoretical Marxism Institute of the Tibet Autonomous Region Academy of Social Sciences, told state-run the Global Times.
Wang said celebrities should be aware of the intentions of the Dalai Lama's clique and should put their responsibility to fight separatism ahead of freedom of religious beliefs.
The warning came after commentary by a state-run news site asking celebrities not to become involved with members of the Tibetan government-in-exile, observers said.
The article on Friday said renowned singer and actress Faye Wong, mainland actor Hu Jun and Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai attended religious activities in northeastern India, where two major members of the Tibetan government-in- exile were spotted in the same picture with them.
In a post on his Sina Weibo account, Hu Jun said he and his family went to India during the Spring Festival holidays to attend some prayer activities.
He said that he was unaware of the presence of the members of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
"I did not know anyone from the separatist group. And as a Chinese national, I resolutely oppose any acts or speeches that will split our nation," read Hu's post.
A commentary in the Global Times today said Chinese superstars were pictured sitting close to two key figures connected with the Dalai Lama and the self-claimed "Tibetan government-in-exile" in mid-February at a Buddhist assembly in Bodh Gaya, India.
The three superstars include singer Faye Wong, Hong Kong actor Tony Leung and Chinese mainland actor Hu Jun.
With the other two remaining silent.
"There is nothing wrong with celebrities believing in Buddhism. But as India hosts about 110,000 Tibetans and many have a connection to the Dalai Lama and Tibetan separatists, celebrities have to learn about local backgrounds before arriving there and stay vigilant before attending religious events to avoid touching on sensitivities and hence raising controversies," it said.
"This kind of discretion is not unnecessary. After all, the Dalai Lama and Tibetan separatists are adept at using religion for political ends on the international stage. They are alsokeen to attract celebrities to help expand influence," it alleged.
"Many Western leaders have played this Tibetan separatism card to needle China by getting somewhat hooked up to the Dalai Lama and his followers. On this list are US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and heads of some other European countries. Every time they hype up the issue, there is strong opposition from Chinese public. Many of those leaders have drawn lessons from the repercussions," it added.
