China is categorically opposed to any country receiving the Dalai Lama for a visit under any conditions, a spokeswoman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said today, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
The US State Department said senior officials met with the Dalai Lama in New York yesterday and “reaffirmed US commitments to the human rights of Tibetans”. The meeting caused the displeasure of China, which considers the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists a dangerous separatist.
"China has expressed an official protest to the US," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at the regular press briefing. “We do not allow the Dalai Lama to engage in political separatist activities in the United States,”, she added.
The ministry spokeswoman also drew attention to a recent case in which a Japanese citizen, an employee of a pharmaceutical company, was detained in China on suspicion of espionage.
"China is a rule of law country that investigates and deals with offenders in accordance with the law. At the same time, China protects the legal rights and interests of the persons involved and assists the Japanese consular offices located in China, she said.
Relations between China and Japan have become strained in recent years over a range of issues ranging from territorial disputes to Tokyo's decision to dump treated water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. in the sea. The arrests of Japanese citizens in China further aggravate the tension.