Diplomatic relations between the United States and China would be damaged if US President Barack Obama meets the Dalai Lama as expected this year, China's ruling Communist Party said on Tuesday, DPA reported.
Any meeting between Obama and the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader would "seriously undermine the political foundation of Sino-US relations," Zhu Weiqun, deputy head of the party's United Front Work Department, told reporters.
"If the US leader chooses to meet the Dalai Lama at this time, it will certainly threaten trust and understanding between China and the United States," Zhu said.
He said China hoped that no such meeting would take place but intended to take "corresponding measures" if Obama went ahead with his plan.
Zhu was speaking after talks in China last week between Communist Party officials and two envoys of the Dalai Lama, the first such dialogue for 15 months.
Neither side reported any progress, but Zhu reported that the Dalai Lama's envoys had said they were willing to hold more talks.
During his first visit to China in November, Obama said he had urged Chinese President Hu Jintao to resume talks with the Dalai Lama.
Tibetan exile groups criticized Obama for failing to meet the Dalai Lama when the Buddhist leader visited Washington in October, but the US president said he planned to meet the Dalai Lama at a later date.
The Dalai Lama lives in India but often visits the United States, where he has many supporters, including celebrities and top politicians.
Beijing continues to accuse the Dalai Lama of seeking independence for China's 6 million Tibetans, but in recent years the Buddhist leader has publicly renounced independence in favour of maximum cultural and religious autonomy for Tibetans within China.
Meeting Dalai Lama would harm ties, China warns Obama
