“I welcome the recent statements by the Chinese government expressing its willingness to meet with representatives of the Dalai Lama, precisely what I had suggested (Chinese) President Hu Jintao do,” Bush said in his first comments since since Beijing’s decision to resume dialogue with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.

“It’s important that there be a renewed dialogue — and that dialogue must be substantive so we can address, in a real way, the deep and legitimate concerns of the Tibetan people,” Bush told a gathering here on the occasion of the Asian American Heritage month.

China has been under intense global pressure, including from Bush, to hold dialogue with the 72-year-old Dalai Lama since the anti-government protests erupted in Tibet which

was followed by Chinese crackdown in the Himalayan region.

Last week, China surprised many by saying that it will meet with a representative of the 72-year-old exiled Tibetan spiritual leader soon to bring an end to pro-Tibetan protests that have disrupted the Beijing Olympic torch relay and threaten to spill over into the Games in August.

The Dalai Lama has cautiously welcomed the Chinese dialogue offer but insisted that there must be “serious talks” to reduce resentment in Tibet or otherwise holding discussions “just to show it to the world” would be meaningless”.

China has previously held in-camera meetings with the spiritual leader’s representatives, but none have taken place since July 2007.

Beijing hopes that the new round of dialogue will lead the Dalai Lama to take credible moves to stop activities aimed at splitting China, stop plotting and inciting violence and stop disrupting and sabotaging the Beijing Olympic Games so as to create conditions for talks.

Beijing has told the Dalai Lama that he must end his quest for Tibetan independence and stop the anti-China protests in his Himalayan homeland that erupted in mid-March and spread to neighbouring regions.

China has accused the Dalai Lama of fomenting the Tibetan unrest and of doing so in an effort to sabotage the Beijing Olympics. The Dalai Lama has rejected the allegations.

The 2008 Olympic torch relay has been targeted on its ourneys by pro-Tibet demonstrators in London, Paris, and San Francisco.

Stops in those cities attracted tens of thousands of demonstrators and prompted dozens of arrests.