China objected strongly to a meeting between the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger, according to media reports.
However, Dalai Lama met Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann. Austria dismissed warnings from China that its relations with Vienna, a capital of Austria, could be threatened by Dalai Lama's 11-day visit to Austria.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei reportedly said the meeting, regardless of China's repeated representations, was a severe interference with China's internal affairs, hurt the feelings of Chinese people and sent false signals to the "Tibet independence" forces.
The reports said that Hong urged the Austrian side to take seriously China's solemn stance, stop indulging and supporting anti-China "Tibet independence" forces and take immediate and effective measures to minimize the baneful impact, so as to safeguard the overall development of bilateral ties.
by RTT Staff Writer
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