China today reaffirmed opposition to the Dalai Lama's visit to any country after he called off a planned trip to Botswana on "health grounds".
The 82-year-old exiled Tibetan spiritual leader was due to speak at the three-day "Mind and Life Dialogue" in Botswana's capital Gaborone on August 19.
"China attaches great importance to relations and friendly cooperation with Botswana, and hopes bilateral ties will maintain positive and healthy development," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters.
"China's position remains firm after media reports said that the Dalai Lama cancelled the plan in mid August due to health problems," Hua said.
Earlier reports from Botswana said that President Ian Khama will be meeting the Dalai Lama.
Botswana confirmed that it will allow the Dalai Lama to visit next month as "a foreign dignitary" though it is a "purely private visit" despite firm opposition from China.
China had last month warned Botswana against hosting the Dalai Lama and facilitate a meeting with its president, saying the African nation should "respect" Beijing's core concerns.
Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a "separatist" who is engaged in activities aimed at splitting Tibet from China.
The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against the Chinese rule in his Himalayan homeland. He has been living in India in exile since then.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)