China asks U.S. not to interfere on Tibet-related issues

In the wake of U.S. President Barack Obama's meeting with the 14th Dalai Lama, China has urged Washington to refrain from interfering in Beijing's domestic affairs including Tibet-related issues.

Stating that the 14th Dalai Lama was not a purely religious figure, but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the guise of religion, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang Lu said, "Tibet affairs are China's domestic affairs and no foreign country has the right to interfere", reports Xinhua.

Lu added the meeting between Obama and Dalai Lama goes against the U.S. acknowledgement that Tibet is an inseparable part of Chinese territory and its rejection of "Tibet independence" and anti-China separatist activities.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson further said such a meeting harms China-U.S. mutual trust and cooperation and interferes in Beijing's internal affairs.

Reportedly, Obama emphasized his strong support for the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic traditions during the meeting.