China on Friday urged US President Barack Obama to cancel a planned meeting with the Dalai Lama, warning that it could damage bilateral ties if it goes ahead. "China firmly opposes the Dalai Lama visiting the United States and US leaders' contact with him," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a statement, adding that China had already "made solemn representations" to the United States over the issue. "We urge the US side to fully understand the high sensitivity of Tibet-related issues, honor its commitment to recognizing Tibet as part of China and opposing Tibet independence," dpa quoted Ma as saying. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs on Thursday said Obama planned to meet the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader at the White House on February 18. Ma urged the Unites States not to give the Dalai Lama a platform for his "anti-China splitting activities," so as to "avoid further damage to Sino-US relations."
