China condemns invite to Dalai Lama for rights event

Beijing: China has condemned an invitation to the Dalai Lama to attend an event on the sidelines of an ongoing UN human rights meeting, the media reported on Saturday.

Reports said the US and Canada co-sponsored a conference around Nobel peace prize winners, on the sidelines of the UN Human Rights Council`s 31st session in Geneva.

The Dalai Lama was invited for the conference, which was chaired by UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate Gilmore, the Global Times reported.

The US side insisted on inviting the Dalai Lama to attend the activity regardless of China` s firm opposition.

"We have lodged solemn representations to relevant parties," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei.

Hong said the Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long been engaged in activities to split China instead of being a simple religious person.

China was also against officials from any country having contact with the Dalai Lama in any form.