China opposes Dalai Lama meeting foreign leaders

China said yesterday it opposed foreign leaders meeting the Dalai Lama "in any form", ahead of a public appearance by the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader with US President Barack Obama.

Obama will attend the National Prayer Breakfast with the Dalai Lama in Washington on Thursday, the White House previously said.

"We are opposed to any foreign leaders meeting with the Dalai Lama in any form," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular press briefing in Beijing, decrying foreign interference in China's "domestic affairs".

"We hope that the American side will act upon its commitment on Tibet-related issues and properly deal with relevant issues in keeping with the overall interests of bilateral relations."

White House officials tried to play down the simultaneous appearance, stressing the two men have met three times before. There was no "specific meeting" between them to announce, they said.

Previous meetings have been held behind closed doors and outside the Oval Office, in a move designed to limit the diplomatic fallout with China.