Chinareiterated its strong opposition to theUnited Statesallowing the Dalai Lama to visit theUSand meet with US leaders.

    Kong saidChina had lodged representations with theUnited States on the Dalai Lama's visit and his meetings with officials, calling for theUnited States to keep its promise that it acknowledged Tibet as part ofChinaand did not support the "independence of Tibet".

    He said the Dalai Lama was not just a religious figure, but a political figure in exile, who had been engaged in long-term activities attempting to split Chinaa nd sabotage China's national unity.

    China urged theUnited State sto stop using theTibet issue to interfere inChina's internal affairs which would harm China-US relations, the spokesman said.

    Kong said China's attitude and policy to the Dalai Lama was " very clear". The Dalai Lama must truly stop activities that aimed to separateChina, and must clearly acknowledge that Tibet and Taiwan were both parts of China. And under such conditions, the channel of contacts between both sides is fully opened, the spokesman said.