China has expressed willingness to resume talks with the Dalai Lama on "relevant matters" except the subject of independence for Tibet.

In a media briefing, Zhou Weiqun, head of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), confirmed that China has hinted at reopening talks with the Tibetan spiritual leader on relevant issues other than "greater autonomy" for his Himalayan homeland.

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"We hope the Dalai Lama can abandon his separatist stance and his deceptive 'middle way' approach," Zhous said.

Political observers described China's latest stance on the Tibetan leader  as a start off point in discussing issues that are important and relevant for both  China and Tibet.

Despite China's accusation against the Dalai Lama as the "instigator" of self-immolation protests in Tibet that have killed hundreds of Tibetans, China said it was still open for discussions with the 79-year-old spiritual leader anytime on various concerns.

Since March 2011, more than 130 people are known to have set themselves on fire in Tibet reportedly in protest against the repressive Chinese occupation of Tibet. Self-immolation protests have become less frequent in 2013 and 2014 but these and other protests are taking place over a widening area in Tibet.

Reports said self-immolation protests are not only done by those in the religious sector but these also include teachers, students as well as mothers and fathers.

Zhou said he hopes that in the future, the Dalai Lama will realize that he is doing the wrong thing and that he should correct himself and stop his "destabilization" of the Tibetan region. Zhou added that the Tibetan spiritual leader can contact China anytime to discuss issues.

"We will not discuss about independence and related issues with him but other issues we can have a discussion," he said.

Reports said this is the probably the first time a senior Chinese official has broached up the subject of resumption of talks between Chinese officials and the Dalai Lama in many years.

Last year, the Dalai Lama had conveyed his wishes to take a pilgrimage to a sacred  mountain in Tibet but was rejected by Chinese officials in Beijing.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the Tibetan spiritual leader should stop trying to split China and cease to undertake separatist activities.

Talks between the Dalai Lama's representatives and top Chinese officials have been suspended since 2010 without any breakthrough even though the Dalai Lama has assured China that Tibet is part of the former's territory.

TagsDalai Lama, Tibet, Tibet freedom, Self immolation