By Li Xiaokun (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-26 07:33

China Tuesday expressed strong dissatisfaction at German leader Angela Merkel's recent meeting with the Dalai Lama, saying it has seriously harmed relations between Beijing and Berlin.

"Despite China's repeated solemn representations, Chancellor Merkel insisted on meeting the Dalai Lama, the political exile who has long engaged in activities to split China and undermine the unity of ethnic groups," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said during a regular press briefing on Tuesday.

"It (the meeting) is not only a gross interference in the internal affairs of China, but also seriously hurts the feelings of the Chinese people," said Jiang.

"We call on the German side to take concrete and effective measures to eliminate the negative impact of the mistaken move and avoid unnecessary damage to Sino-German relations," she added.