Second round of China-Tibet talks planned

The report came late Sunday after the two sides met in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. It was the first time they held talks since violent protests erupted in Tibet in March, and China responded with a crackdown on the Himalayan region.

Xinhua did not say when and where the next round of meetings would be held.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

SHENZHEN, China (AP) The Dalai Lama's envoys met Chinese officials Sunday in the first talks between the two sides since violent anti-government protests erupted in Tibet, bringing international pressure on Beijing ahead of the Summer Olympics.

International critics have accused China of heavy-handed tactics in quelling anti-government riots and protests in Tibet and Tibetan areas of western China that began in March. Some experts believe Beijing agreed to meet with the envoys to ease that criticism ahead of the Beijing Olympics in August.

The Dalai Lama, the Buddhist spiritual leader who fled Tibet in 1959 amid a Chinese crackdown, has previously said he wants some form of autonomy that would allow Tibetans to freely practice their culture, language and religion.

China's official Xinhua News Agency confirmed the meeting took place "at the repeated requests made by the Dalai side." As the two parties gathered, President Hu Jintao said in Beijing he hoped for a "positive outcome" and that the "door of dialogue remains open," Xinhua said.

The Chinese officials, Zhu Weiqun and Sitar, told the envoys that violence in Tibet "had given rise to new obstacles for further contacts and consultations with the Dalai side" but the government "still arranged this meeting with great patience and sincerity," Xinhua reported.

"The central government hoped that to create conditions for the next round of contact and consultation, the Dalai side would take credible moves to stop activities aimed at splitting China, stop plotting and inciting violence and stop disrupting and sabotaging the Beijing Olympic Games," Xinhua said.