China denounces EU Parliament leaders' meeting with Dalai Lama
China has strongly denounced the European Union's parliament for receiving Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama, saying the move could damage relations between the bloc and Beijing.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters during a regular briefing on Monday that the European Parliament and its president, Martin Schulz had ignored China's "strong opposition" about meeting the Dalai Lama.
"China is resolutely opposed to the mistaken actions of the European Parliament," Lu said.
The spokesman went onto say that parliament leaders' insistence on taking an erroneous position had damaged China's core interests.
"But this time the leaders of the European Parliament insist obstinately on having their own way and adhering to the wrong position, undermining China's core interests and also seriously damaging the political basis for bilateral parliamentary exchanges."
Lu threatened countermeasures against the EU over the controversial meeting, saying that "China absolutely cannot remain indifferent, and we will make the correct choice in accordance with our judgment of the situation."
In remarks at the EU Parliament in French city of Strasbourg Thursday, the Dalai Lama called on the EU to offer "constructive criticism" to China on the issue of Tibet.
China views the Dalai Lama as the leader of the secessionists pursuing independence for Tibet.
Beijing has for long opposed the Dalai Lama’s meeting with different heads of states as well as his visit to other countries that depend on China for investment.
The Dalai Lama fled a failed uprising in Tibet in 1959 and retired from politics in 2011. However, he maintains that he seeks only greater autonomy for Tibetan areas in China. Beijing regards Tibet as an integral part of its territory.
The exiled leader has been accused of supporting use of violence to set up an independent state in the Himalayan region.
The spiritual leader has been blamed for plotting against China with the help of the US. From the late 1950s until 1974, the Dalai Lama received $180,000 from the CIA each year.
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