China quake survivors see ray of hope in Dalai Lama visit request

Lhamo Yongsuo's black dress matches the mood in China's northwest quake-hit region where more than 1,700 have died, but upon seeing the Dalai Lama's image the Tibetan woman brightens.

On the streets of Jiegu, the nearest big city to the epicentre of the 6.9 magnitude quake, conversation buzzed yesterday about the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader's request to Beijing to let him visit the disaster area.

"The Dalai Lama is our god. Yes, we would like to see him return. It would bring us tremendous joy if the government allows him to come. The Dalai Lama is our sun," Yongsuo said as she bowed before his image.

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