China on Saturday expressed strong discontent and resolute opposition to the arrangement of a meeting between the Dalai Lama and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

"This interferers in China's internal affairs, and gravely hurts Chinese people's feelings as well, " said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang in a press release.

The British side, in regardless of China's serious concern, allowed the Dalai Lama to visit Britain, meet Brown and other political figures, and testify before a British parliamentary hearing on China's human rights recently, Qin said.

The spokesman said Tibet is an inalienable part of the Chinese territory, and China opposes any country, organization or individual to use Dalai Lama to interfere in its internal affairs.

Qin said the British government has pledged not to support "Tibet independence".

"We urge Britain to honor its commitment and do more to help the long-term development of Sino-British relations and safeguard the general situation of the relationship," Qin said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2008)