China irked by Taiwan’s invitation to Dalai Lama

China on Monday strongly opposed any invitation to the Dalai Lama to visit Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own territory, and said that the Tibetan spiritual leader must give up his “secessionist” stance.

“We strongly oppose anyone who is in power (in Taiwan) to invite the Dalai Lama to visit the island,” Padma Choling, chairman of the standing committee of Tibet’s regional People’s Congress told media here on the sidelines of the parliament, the National People s Congress (NPC).

“Everyone clearly knows what kind of person the Dalai Lama is,” he said, replying to a question from a foreign reporter about the intention of some political figures in Taiwan to invite the Dalai Lama to the island. “The Dalai Lama must give up his secessionist stance and stop all activities to split the motherland. Our attitude is consistent,” Padma, also a deputy to the NPC said. According to reports, Taiwanese President-elect Tsai Ing-wen is considering inviting the highest-ranking figure in Tibetan Buddhism to visit in his capacity as a religious leader.

Choling’s comments came in the backdrop of President Xi Jinping warning against “Taiwan independence”, saying that “national secession” should not be repeated.