The Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, expressed solidarity and support for Muslim Uighurs yesterday, raising the spectre for Beijing of closer co-ordination between opponents of Chinese rule and minority groups in territories that have seen ethnic rioting in the past two years.

His comments came in a blistering attack on the Communist party's policies in his homeland that was timed to mark the anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule in 2008 and the 51st anniversary of the uprising that led to the Dalai Lama's flight to India.

“Let us also remember the people of East Turkestan [China's Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region] who have experienced great difficulties and increased oppression, and the Chinese intellectuals campaigning for greater freedom who have received severe sentences. I would like to express my solidarity and stand firmly with them,” the Dalai Lama said in his statement.