China blasts Dalai Lama U.S. trip

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BEIJING, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- China on Saturday reiterated its opposition to an upcoming visit by the Dalai Lama to the United States.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a statement carried by the state-run news agency Xinhua that it is maintaining its "constant and clear" stance about the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.

"China resolutely opposes the visit by the Dalai Lama to the United States, and resolutely opposes U.S. leaders having contact with the Dalai Lama," Ma said, adding that Beijing's position is "constant and clear."

"During President (Barack) Obama's November visit to China, Chinese leaders had elaborated such stance," he said.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Thursday that the Dalai Lama would visit the White House and meet with Obama later this month.

"We urge the U.S. to realize the high sensitivity of Tibet-related issues, to seriously treat with China's stance and concern, not to permit the Dalai Lama's visit and not to arrange meetings between him and U.S. leaders so as to avoid further undermining China-U.S. ties," Ma reportedly said.