Lodi Gyari, who was on a third secrecy-shrouded visit to China in two years, said major differences remained with Beijing, but the sides had agreed on further talks.
Gyari and three other colleagues met Chinese Minister Liu Yandong, also vice chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee, and Vice Minister Zhu Wiejun during the Sept. 12-29 trip.
"We had so far the most extensive and serious exchange of views on matters relating to Tibet," Gyari said in a statement from the hill town of Dharamsala, where the Tibetan government in exile is based.
"It was apparent from the discussions, there are major differences on a number of issues, including some fundamental ones," he said.
Beijing imposed communist rule on Tibet after its troops invaded in 1950. The Dalai Lama fled in 1959 after an abortive uprising.
Direct contact between the exiled Tibetans and Beijing was not established for 20 years and dialogue was suspended in 1993.
Two years ago talks were quietly revived amid signs China might have decided to allow a subtle but significant shift in policy that could be aimed at finding a way to unwind the Tibetan knot by allowing the Dalai Lama back - under certain conditions.
The Dalai Lama, a Nobel Peace Laureate, says he does not seek independence for Tibet, but only greater autonomy for the Tibetan people. China has long accused him of using his religious status to try to split Tibet from China.
