China warns Taiwan over inviting Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama is called a traitor by China for his views on Tibet

China on Wednesday warned Taiwan that allowing the Dalai Lama to visit the island, which Beijing claims as its own, will "severely impact" ties.

The Dalai Lama, called a "traitor" by China for his views on Tibet, has been invited to Taiwan by one of its high-profile lawmakers, Freddy Lim, who met the Tibetan leader in India last week.

"The intention of some forces in Taiwan to collude with separatists seeking Tibet independence and to create disturbances will have a severe impact on relations across the Taiwan Strait," Ma Xiaoguangan, official in-charge of China's Taiwan Affairs, told the media here.

"We firmly oppose the Dalai Lama's visit to Taiwan in any form," Ma added.

The ties between China and Taiwan have soured after the newly-elected Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen declared she did not recognise the "One China" principle.

Following her refusal to do so, Beijing cut all its communication with Taipei.

If the Dalai Lama visits Taiwan, it can escalate the tension between the two entities.

China has accused the Dalai Lama of fomenting trouble in Tibet to separate it from the mainland. The Buddhist spiritual leader fled to India after a failed uprising in Tibet in 1959.

He has lived in exile in India since then.