China firmly opposes the US permitting the Dalai Lama's visit to the US and the US leaders' meetings with him, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhu Bangzao said in Beijing Thursday.

Zhu said at a regular press conference that Tibet is a part of China and the Tibet issue is part of China's internal affairs, which no other countries have the right to interfere in.

The Dalai Lama is not simply a religious figure, but an exiled political figure who has been for long conducting separatist activities, Zhu said.

The spokesman pointed out that the US government has made clear commitments acknowledging that Tibet is a part of the Chinese territory and it doesn't support the "independence of Tibet".

However, the recent acts by the US have violated the basic norms of international relations and dishonored its own commitments, Zhu said, adding that the acts are a kind of connivance and support of the "independence of Tibet" and an interference in China's internal affairs, he said.

Zhu said that China has lodged stern representations with the US on the issue and demanded that the US abide by the basic norms of international law, correct its wrong-doings and stop intervening in China's internal affairs by using the issue of Tibet.

Zhu also pointed out that it is obvious to all that the Chinese government has scored marked achievements in promoting the development of Tibet in economic, social, and cultural undertakings.

The acts by the Dalai Lama have proven that he has no sincerity in establishing dialogue with the central government, he noted.

The spokesman stressed that as long as the Dalai Lama sincerely abandons the stance of "independence of Tibet," stops his separatist activities and openly declares that Tibet is an inseparable part of China and Taiwan is a province of China, the door will remain open for him to hold negotiations with the central government.

(Xinhua 05/24/2001)