A Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday that China had refused to allow a German legislator to visit the country for his pro-Tibetan independence position.

Michael Brand, chairman of the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the German Bundestag, is not welcome to China, spokesman Lu Kang said at a routine press briefing.

Lu said Brand's position of backing "Tibetan independence" is against Germany's one-China policy.

Brand was denied permission to visit China purely because of his position on Tibet, not for his comments on the human rights situation in China, stressed Lu.

China attaches importance to exchanges and cooperation with the German Bundestag as well as its committees, including the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid, Lu said.

The Chinese side has made extensive preparations for the upcoming visit of the Committee members, said Lu, adding that dialogue and exchange must be based on mutual respect.

It would be very unwise for the committee to issue a statement criticizing China's decision, said the spokesman.

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