China has expressed its indignation over a U.S. House of Representatives resolution condemning its crackdown on unrest in Tibet and urging it to talk to the Dalai Lama.
Reacting Friday to the resolution's passage, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman called it a "rude interference" in China's internal affairs that seriously hurt the feelings of the Chinese people.
She also said U.S. lawmakers had distorted "the history and reality of Tibet" and ignored crimes committed by supporters of the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader.
The measure that was passed Wednesday by a vote of 413-to-one with the backing of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, calls on China to end its violent response to Tibetan protesters and what it calls Beijing's continuing cultural, religious, economic and linguistic repression inside Tibet.
It also urges Chinese leaders to hold talks without preconditions directly with the Dalai Lama, and to immediately release Tibetans imprisoned for non-violently opposing Chinese policies in Tibet.
China has accused the Dalai Lama of inciting violence in Tibet, and says it will resume a dialogue with him only if he abandons claims for Tibetan independence. The Dalai Lama promotes non-violence and says he wants autonomy for Tibet -- not independence.
President Bush is also urging China to open a dialogue with the Dalai Lama's representatives. He says the move would reflect well on the Chinese government.
In March, China launched a violent crackdown on pro-Tibet demonstrations that erupted in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, and elsewhere.
Exiled Tibetan leaders say about 140 people have died during the crackdown. China insists it has acted with restraint and blames Tibetan rioters. Beijing says about 20 people have been killed in the unrest.