China criticises Slovak President's meeting with Dalai Lama

China on Monday criticised Slovak President Andrej Kiska's meeting with the Dalai Lama, demanding that Slovakia take measures to eliminate the negative impact of the meeting.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the comment after President Kiska insisted on meeting the Dalai Lama over lunch in Bratislava on Sunday in spite of China's strong opposition, Xinhua news agency reported.

"It goes against Slovakia's commitment to adherence to the One-China policy. China firmly opposes this and will make due responses," Hua said.

Hua said the Dalai Lama has long engaged in anti-China separatist activities to split Tibet from the country.

She said China firmly opposes the Dalai Lama in conducting separatist activities in any country in any name and opposes foreign officials' contact with him in any form.

"The Slovak president's wilful moves and insistence on the wrong stance have damaged China's core interests and the political foundation of bilateral relations," the spokesperson said.

Hua urged Slovakia to have a clear understanding of the Dalai Lama clique's anti-China nature, respect Beijing's core interests and major concerns and strictly abide by the One-China policy.

"China urges Slovakia to take effective measures to eliminate the negative impact of this wrong move so that bilateral ties can get back on track," she added.

--IANS

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