China warns France about Dalai Lama visit

BEIJING, May 28 (UPI) -- Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe's invitation to the Dalai Lama to visit the French capital could harm revived Sino-French relations, Chinese observers warn.

The Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, was invited to Paris in early June to collect the title of honorary citizen of the city, which he was awarded in 2008, China Daily said.

Earlier this month, Beijing urged Paris not to interfere in China's internal affairs by meeting the Dalai Lama, accused by officials of trying to foment Tibetan independence from China.

The French foreign ministry sought to play down the he significance of the invitation, one made by the city and "should have no impact on the caliber of our relations with China."