Analysts yesterday warned that the Dalai Lama could mastermind more separatist acts ahead of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) later this year, after the exile accused Beijing of plotting to assassinate him.

The Dalai Lama told the Sunday Telegraph "some Chinese agents training some Tibetans, especially women, you see, using poison - the hair poisoned, and the scarf poisoned - they were supposed to seek blessing from me, and my hand touch."

He told the British newspaper that he "received the information from Tibet," even though his aids "could not confirm it."

Xiong Kunxin, a professor of ethnic theory and policy at Minzu University of China, told the Global Times that the Dalai Lama's words were aimed at demonizing China and creating attention for the exile himself.

Xiong said the Dalai Lama clique may try to create chaos before the 18th National Congress of CPC to be held in the second half of this year, and may plot more separatist acts, such as instigating self-immolation and provoking violence.

Lin Xiangmin, a research fellow at the China Tibetology Research Center, called the Dalai Lama a "master of attracting media."

"I'm afraid that he has overestimated himself this time. It is totally unnecessary for the Chinese government to assassinate him," Lin told the Global Times.

Li Wei, director at the Institute of Security and Strategic Studies of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said the method mentioned by the Dalai Lama is scientifically unfeasible.

According to police investigations in the Aba Tibetan-Qiang autonomous prefecture in Sichuan Province, self-immolations in ethnic Tibetan areas in the provinces of Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu were instigated by separatists.

The Dalai Lama clique was also accused of masterminding the March 14 violent unrest in Lhasa in 2008, in which 13 civilians were killed.

In January, at least two mob attacks on police stations were reported in ethnic Tibetan areas of Sichuan, leaving at least two people dead and more than a dozen injured.

Chen Quanguo, regional Party chief of the Tibet Autonomous Region, told the Tibet Daily in February that the fight against the Dalai Lama clique is a "long-term, complicated and sometimes even acute one."

Chen demanded local officials to "improve the precautionary and emergency management mechanism," and ensure the government's ability to immediately and resolutely handle any emergency.

"We should make every effort to win the tough battle to maintain stability, and seize the initiative in our fight against separatism," he said.