China protests David Cameron-Dalai meeting

BEIJING - China on Tuesday voiced strong indignation and stern objection to British Prime Minister David Cameron's meeting with the Dalai Lama, and lodged representation to Britain.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the meeting has grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, hurt the feelings of Chinese people and sent false signals to the "Tibet independence" forces.

Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg together met in London on Monday with the Dalai Lama, who Hong said is "a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-China secessionist activities in the name of religion."

The occasion was organized by the British side despite repeated representations from China, Hong said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing and the Chinese Embassy in London have both lodged solemn representations to the British side, he added.

The spokesman said the issue regarding Tibet is of exclusive concern to China's internal affairs.

He stressed, "China objects firmly to any foreign leader's meeting with the Dalai Lama in any form and opposes any country, or anyone, interfering in China's internal affairs by using Tibet-related issues."

Hong urged the British side to seriously treat China's solemn stance, stop indulging and supporting anti-China "Tibet independence" forces and take immediate and effective measures to minimize the baneful impact, so as to safeguard the overall development of bilateral ties.