China: Meeting Dalai Lama a major offence; warns countries

"Any country, or any organisation of anyone, accepting to meet with the Dalai Lama, in our view, is a major offence to the sentiment of the Chinese people," said Zhang, who is also an executive vice minister of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party.

"After fleeing China in 1959, he established a so-called government-in-exile, whose goal and core agenda is the independence of Tibet and to separate (from) China. For decades, the group headed by the 14th Dalai Lama has never stopped such attempts," he said.

Though Zhang did not mention any particular country, China has repeatedly protested against the Dalai Lama’s contacts with top Indian leaders such as former president Pranab Mukherjee. Beijing has also protested against the Tibetan leader’s visit to the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, which is claimed by China.

"Officials, in their capacity as officials, attending all foreign-related activities represent their governments. So I hope governments around the world speak and act with caution and give full consideration to their friendship with China and their respect for China’s sovereignty," he added.