China concerned about worsening ties with Slovakia

China on Thursday urged Slovakia to take measures to address the negative impact resulting from a meeting between President Andrej Kiska and the Dalai Lama.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks after Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak on Wednesday stressed that the country supported the one-China policy, three days after Kiska's meeting with the Dalai Lama.

Lajcak said the meeting between Kiska and the Dalai Lama harmed China-Slovak relations. Lajcak made the comment after his meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Slovakia Lin Lin.

"Kiska's meeting with the Dalai Lama seriously damaged the political foundation of bilateral relations," Hua said.

Hua said China had noted Slovakia's commitment to the one-China policy and Lajcak's view of Tibet as an inalienable part of China.

"We urge Slovakia to honor its promise, respect China's core interests and take measures to eliminate the negative impact of the meeting so that bilateral relations can return to normal," she added.

Also at the daily press briefing, Hua reiterated that China firmly opposes any official of any country meeting with the Dalai Lama, "China's stance is clear."

Her comments came after the city of Milan, Italy, awarded the Dalai Lama with honorary citizenship. Endi