China will not allow its 'core interests' to be damaged, ministry says

China will not tolerate behavior by other countries that hurts its "core interests", Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said, commenting on reports that Botswana will allow the 14th Dalai Lama to visit next month.

The Agence France-Presse news agency quoted Botswana Foreign Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi as saying "the principle of non-interference in the international affairs of other countries is at the core of China's foreign policy", and that she expected "China to respect our sovereign decision on this matter".

Lu said in Beijing on Wednesday that he was aware of the report, and that China has expressed its position on the issue.

"China does not interfere in other countries' domestic affairs. But it will not tolerate other countries doing things that hurt China's core interests," Lu said.

"Tibet-related issues bear on China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We request relevant countries to respect China's core interests effectively and make a correct political decision on the issue," Lu said.