中国与欧盟的关系昨日降至新低，由于法国总统尼古拉•萨科齐(Nicolas Sarkozy)计划会见*，北京在愤怒之下取消了原定下周与欧盟召开的峰会，令外交人士大为震惊。
Relations between China and Europe sank to a fresh low yesterday after Beijing stunned diplomats by cancelling a summit with the EU next week amid fury over French president Nicolas Sarkozy's plans to meet the Dalai Lama.

一位欧盟驻北京的高级官员表示，由于中国被法国总统公开宣布将于下个月会晤西藏流亡领袖所激怒，临时取消了原定下周一召开的峰会。法国总统和*将同期在波兰出席一场庆祝仪式。
A senior EU official in Beijing said the Chinese suspended Monday's summit because they were angered by the president's public announcement that he would meet the exiled Tibetan leader next month when the two attend parallel meetings in Poland.

取消峰会的决定反映出，北京不惜大费周折，从外交上孤立前诺贝尔和平奖得主*。中欧峰会本来将讨论金融危机问题。
The decision to cancel the meeting, which would have discussed the financial crisis, reflects the considerable lengths Beijing is willing to go to in its effort to diplomatically isolate the Dalai Lama, a former winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

欧盟表示，对于中国取消峰会的决定感到遗憾。中欧峰会原定在法国城市里昂举行，中国总理温家宝原定将出席会议。
The EU said it regretted China's decision to call off the summit, due to take place in the French city of Lyon. Chinese premier Wen Jiabao had been due to attend the meeting.

“欧盟对中国的决定予以关注，并表示遗憾。欧盟已为第十一届欧中峰会设定了雄心勃勃的目标。欧盟将继续推进与中国的战略合作伙伴关系，特别是当前的全球经济与金融状况，需要求欧中密切合作。”
“The EU, which had set ambitious objectives for the 11th EU-China summit takes note and regrets China's decision. The EU will continue to promote a relationship of strategic partnership with China, particularly at a moment when the global economic and financial situation calls for very close co-operation between Europe and China.”

法国政府发言人表示，萨科齐依然计划于12月6日在波兰的一场庆祝仪式上会晤*，该仪式将汇聚前诺贝尔和平奖获得者。*还计划访问捷克共和国和比利时，并于12月4日在比利时向欧洲议会发表讲话。
Mr Sarkozy still intends to meet the Dalai Lama in Poland on December 6 at a ceremony bringing together former Nobel Peace prize winners, the French government spokesman said. The Dalai Lama is also due to visit the Czech Republic and Belgium, where he will address the European parliament on December 4.

中国政府对欧洲领导人会晤*的意愿表示愤怒，这使中国与英国、德国和法国等国的关系高度紧张。
Chinese anger over European leaders' willingness to meet the Dalai Lama has put severe strain on its relationships with several capitals, including London, Berlin and Paris.

中国政府昨晚没有立刻就此置评。
There was no immediate comment from Beijing last night.