Dalai Lama meeting bad 'in any form'

China firmly opposes foreign leaders meeting with the Dalai Lama "in any form", Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in response to reports that the exiled figure may attend an annual religious event in the US on Thursday that US President Barack Obama is also scheduled to attend.

"Tibet-related issues concern China's core interests and our national sentiment," Hong said on Monday. "We firmly oppose any country using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China's domestic affairs. We resolutely oppose any country's leaders meeting the Dalai Lama in any form."

Hong expressed his hope that the US would keep to its commitment on Tibet-related issues and handle the matter in the interest of bilateral relations.