BEIJING, July 3, 2008 (AFP) - China launched a fresh verbal attack on the Dalai Lama on Thursday, even as state media reported the two sides wrapped up talks in Beijing that many hope could lead to the start of a rapprochement.

Xinhua news agency accused the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader of continuing to provoke China with 'negative comments' and said Tibetan groups were involved in a global conspiracy to tarnish next month's Olympic Games.

'The Dalai Lama has shown no intention of taking a break or displaying any sincerity in reining in his negative comments on the Chinese government,' the dispatch by the Chinese government mouthpiece said.

Another Xinhua report gave an account of this week's talks that said China's delegate continued to demand the Dalai Lama stop sabotaging the Olympics and agitating for Tibetan independence, charges he has repeatedly denied.

'The Dalai Lama should openly and explicitly promise and prove it in his actions not to support activities to disturb the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games,' the report quoted delegate Du Qinglin as telling the Tibetan side.

China had held talks with Dalai Lama representatives on Tibet's future in the past but they broke off last year.

Beijing agreed to restart the dialogue amid world criticism of its massive crackdown on deadly anti-Chinese riots that engulfed the Tibetan capital Lhasa on March 14 and spread across the Tibetan plateau.

China's opponents accuse it of systematic political, cultural and religious oppression in the remote and devoutly Buddhist Himalayan region.

The Beijing talks followed a meeting in May.

Xinhua quoted Chinese officials as saying another round could occur by year-end if the Dalai Lama 'made positive moves'.

The Dalai Lama and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon were among those who called for concrete progress in this week's talks.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said earlier this week that he would decide whether to attend the Beijing Olympics based on whether the talks bore fruit.

China has ruled Tibet since 1951, a year after sending troops in to 'liberate' the region.