China opposes US President Barack Obama's plan to meet Dalai Lama

BEIJING: China today firmly opposed a planned "private meeting" between President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama by lodging a diplomatic protest to the US, saying it is a violation of the 'One China' policy and the Tibetan leader was engaged in splitting Tibet from China.

"The Obama-Dalai Lama meeting concerns with One China Policy," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said, objecting to the scheduled meeting between the two leaders in Washington.

"We have noticed relevant reports of this private meeting. China's Foreign Ministry has launched its solemn representations with the US side expressing our firm opposition to such arrangements," Lu told reporters.

Despite China's protests, Obama has several times in the past met the Dalai Lama, who lives in India in exile since a failed 1959 uprising in Tibet against the Communist rule.

In the past, the White House has maintained that the US President's meet with the Dalai Lama were in his capacity as religious and spiritual leader.

The 80-year-old monk, who is on visit to the US, has for decades called for more Tibetan autonomy.

He is revered by Tibetans. More than 130 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in protest at Beijing's rule, campaign groups have said.

"Tibetan affairs are China's domestic affairs, which needs no outside interference. The 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure. He is a political exile who has long been engaging in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion," Lu said.

China has ruled Tibet since the 1950s, but several Buddhist Tibetans accuse Beijing of often repressing their religion and culture. China denies the charges.

The Obama-Lama meeting will send wrong signals to the separatist forces seeking independence and will damage mutual trust and cooperation, the Chinese spokesman said.

"China hopes that the US can stick to its promises that acknowledge that Tibet is a part of China and will never support Tibet independence. I also want to stress that any attempts to take advantage of Tibet related issues and undermine China's stability will not succeed," he said.

China routinely protests whenever foreign leaders meet the Dalai Lama during his travels abroad.