BEIJING, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy has met with the Dalai Lama, who is on a European tour, drawing protests from the Chinese government Sunday.
Xinhua reported the meeting in Poland Saturday could undermine Sino-French relations since the Chinese government considers the Dalai Lama a separatist.
The state-run Chinese news service said that when the French leader visited China in August, he said France has long regarded China as an important strategic partner.
Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister He Yafei reportedly summoned French Ambassador to China Herve Ladsous on Sunday to protest the meeting.
"This grossly interfered in China's internal affairs," he said of the meeting between the Dalai Lama and Sarkozy, who also holds the rotating European Union presidency.
"It also severely undermined China's core interest, gravely hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and sabotaged the political basis of China-France and China-EU relations," He said. "The Chinese government firmly opposes and strongly protests against the action."
