China highly appreciates Russia's decision not to issue a visa to the Dalai Lama and regards it as a demonstration of the two countries' partnership of strategic cooperation with deep mutual trust, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Liu Guchang said.

The Dalai Lama is a political exile and is using every opportunity to conduct separatist activities against China in the garb of religion, Liu said Wednesday at a news conference in Elista, capital of Russia's Kalmyk republic. He was accompanying Qiangba Puncog, chairman of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on a visit to the Buddhism-dominated republic.

The Kalmyk people have a similar historical origin and common customs and habits with the Chinese, Liu said, adding that the two sides have broad prospects for various cooperation.

China has no intention to interfere in Russian Buddhists' religious activities, but hopes that they can see clearly the separatist nature of the Dalai Lama's actions, Liu stated.

He stressed that enhancing regional cooperation between China and Russia will greatly help to strengthen bilateral partnership of strategic cooperation.

The Tibetan delegation led by Qiangba Puncog arrived in Elista Monday for a five-day good-will visit.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2004)