SHANGHAI, April 1, 2008 (AFP) - The situation in Tibet is an internal matter for Beijing to resolve on its own, the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates said Tuesday during an official visit to China.

Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed al-Maktoum, who is also vice-president of the Emirates and ruler of Dubai, said he had not discussed the recent unrest in the Himalayan region when he met with Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday.

'It's their problem. I am a guest,' Sheikh Mohammad told journalists travelling with him, during a flight from Beijing to Shanghai.

'I am not going to say anything about Tibet... That's their own problem. I cannot talk about it,' he said in English.

The Emirati prime minister is due to participate in a bilateral economic forum in Shanghai on Wednesday, before returning to Beijing for talks with Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday, the last day of his visit.

His visit is aimed at boosting fast-growing economic ties between the two countries.