Brussels, 29/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - Hans-Gert Pottering, chairperson of the EPP-ED group in the European Parliament, has strongly urged the Chinese leadership on the occasion of political discussions in Beijing to launch constructive dialogue with the Vatican, explains an EPP-ED press release. Visiting China with members of the bureau of the EPP-ED group, Pottering slammed the practice of the 'so-called 'Official Catholic Church' in China to appoint bishops themselves,' because 'the appointment of bishops is the exclusive right of the Holy Father.' During their talks with the Chinese authorities, the MEPs also called for China to hold dialogue with Taiwan, explaining that the recent European Parliament resolution called for Taiwan to be given observer status at the World Health Organisation, and this is compatible with the EPP-ED's full support for the one-China policy of the EU (see Eur9p 9196). The Chinese authorities expressed concern about a scheduled visit of the Dalai Lama to the European Parliament. Pottering explained that the Dalai Lama would visit the EP and be welcomed by several political groups, including the EPP-ED, and address the political groups. Pottering said 'that the Dalai Lama is an important religious personality and it was therefore perfectly normal' for him to 'be received by the political groups and by the President of Parliament'. As spiritual head of Buddhism, the Dalai Lama will be attending a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday with representatives of other big religions (see EUROPE 9197). Pottering called for special status for Tibet, to allow the 'preservation of the unique culture of Tibet… while respecting the territorial integrity of China'.