Brussels, Belgium, 4 December 2008 (AFP) - China lacks the moral authority, including over the question of Tibet, to be a true superpower, the Dalai Lama said Thursday during a European tour that has angered Beijing.
After addressing the EU parliament in Brussels, the Tibetan spiritual leader said China "deserves to be a superpower" given its huge population and economic and military strength.
"Now one important factor is moral authority and that is lacking," he told a press conference in Brussels.
"Because of its very poor record on human rights and religious freedom and freedom of expression and freedom of the press -- too much censorship -- the image of China in the field of moral authority is very, very poor," he said.
"The sensible Chinese realize China should now pay more attention in this field in order to get more respect from the rest of the world," the Nobel peace laureate said.
He cited the problems of Tibet and separatist factions in the southwestern Chinese province of Xinjiang as areas where such a moral authority should be displayed. He also named Hong Kong and reunification with Taiwan.
He said he continued to have confidence in the Chinese people while doubting the government wanted serious talks on Tibet's future.