Protest after US official contacts Dalai Lama

Beijing voiced its "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" on Monday after Washington arranged for a senior official to contact the secessionist Dalai Lama.

US senior White House advisor Valerie Jarrett attended on Friday what some media reports said was a "birthday celebration" for the Dalai Lama in New York.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the US, disregarding a number of representations made by China, has persisted in arranging such contacts with the Dalai Lama.

"We urge the US to stay firm to its commitment that it recognizes Tibet as part of China and it does not support 'Tibet Independence'," Hua said.

China wants the US to take tangible measures to correct the mistake, embark on damage control, and stop any actions that facilitate and support "Tibet Independence" secessionist forces in order to avoid disrupting and damaging the China-US relationship, Hua said.