The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader also asked the international community to press Beijing to show "restraint" in dealing with unrest in his Himalayan homeland.

"We remain committed to... pursuing a process of dialogue in order to find a mutually beneficial solution to the Tibetan issue," the Dalai Lama wrote.

"I also seek the international community's support for our efforts to resolve Tibet's problems through dialogue, and I urge them to call upon the Chinese leadership to exercise the utmost restraint in dealing with the current disturbed situation and to treat those who are being arrested properly and fairly," he wrote.

He repeated his accusation that China was engaged in "cultural genocide" in Tibet.

"Whether it was intended or not, I believe that a form of cultural genocide has taken place in Tibet, where the Tibetan identity has been under constant attack," he said.

"The distinctive Tibetan cultural heritage with its characteristic language, customs and traditions is fading away."

"There is no religious freedom in Tibet. Even to call for a little more freedom is to risk being labelled a separatist," he added.

The letter, issued from his base in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamshala, also repeated his call for an international probe into the unrest.

"Since the Chinese government has accused me of orchestrating these protests in Tibet, I call for a thorough investigation by a respected body, which should include Chinese representatives, to look into these allegations," he said.

"I believe the demonstrations and protests taking place in Tibet are a spontaneous outburst of public resentment built up by years of repression," he added.

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