China on Saturday urged the United States to immediately withdraw a decision of arranging U.S. President Barack Obama to meet with the Dalai Lama.
"The issue regarding Tibet concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we firmly oppose any foreign official to meet with the Dalai Lama in any form," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei.
Hong's comments came in response to a question concerning a release on the White House website saying the U.S. President Barack Obama was scheduled to meet the Dalai Lama on July 16.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese embassy in the United States have lodged solemn representation with the United States over the issue in Beijing and Washington, respectively, Hong said.
"We request the U.S. side to honor its serious commitment that recognizes Tibet as part of China and opposes 'Tibet independence', to immediately withdraw the decision of arranging Obama-Dalai Lama meeting, and to avoid interfering in China's internal affairs and damaging China-U.S. relations," the spokesman said.