1st Ld-Writethru: China's top legislature opposes U.S. lawmakers' meeting with Dalai Lama

The National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislative body, on Friday voiced strong dissatisfaction after some U.S. lawmakers met with the Dalai Lama in Washington.

"The meeting went against the U.S. commitment that Tibet is a part of Chinese territory and it does not support 'Tibet independence'," said a statement issued by the NPC's Foreign Affairs Committee.

The meeting also breached basic norms of international relations and constituted a severe interference in China's internal affairs, the statement said.

U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and some lawmakers met with the Dalai Lama in Washington on June 14.

Recalling the history of Tibet, the statement said Tibet formally became an administrative region of China in the 13th century, more than 500 years earlier than the independence of the United States.

The region was peacefully liberated in 1951, and 1 million serfs were liberated in 1959 when the feudal serfdom was abolished through democratic reform, the statement said.

Since Tibet Autonomous Region was established in 1965, Tibet has made remarkable achievements, the statement said.

The Tibet Autonomous Region is now in the best period of development, featuring a prosperous economy, a stable society, religious harmony and unity among all ethnic groups, said the statement.

The statement pointed out that the 14th Dalai Lama was "not a purely religious figure," but a political exile who has long engaged in separatist activities and activities that damage national unity, and has never given up his advocacy of "Tibetan independence".

"The Chinese government and people strongly oppose any country's permission for the Dalai Lama to visit, any politician's meeting with him in any form, and any person's attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs or harm China's sovereignty and unity," the statement said.

Some U.S. lawmakers ignore the facts that the Dalai Lama has violated China's constitution and laws, and support his separatist activities, said the statement.

The NPC strongly urged U.S. lawmakers to take China's concerns seriously, honor their commitment to recognizing Tibet as part of China and not supporting "Tibetan independence" and stop supporting Dalai clique's separatist activities, the statement said.

The NPC also urged U.S. lawmakers to do more conducive to strengthening friendship and maintaining stable development of China-U.S. relations. Endi