Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Friday that the royal government will not invite the Dalai Lama to attend the world Buddhism conference.
When answering reporters' questions, Hun Sen said "We will not invite the Dalai Lama. We only welcome the delegates sent by the Chinese government." He reaffirmed that those who represent the Chinese government will be admitted by the royal government.
Earlier, Chhorm Eam, secretary of state for the Ministry of Cults and Religion said Cambodia has asked China to sent its own delegates to attend the Third World Buddhist Conference scheduled to be held here in December.
Delegates from China's Taiwan and Hong Kong have been also invited to the conference, but Taiwan will be prohibited from raising its flag. It will be allowed only to raise the "universal Buddhist flag," he added.
The Buddhism conference is expected to draw 1,500 participants from 16 Asian countries. Participants will spend two days in PhnomPenh and two days in Siem Reap.