China says it "resolutely opposes" any meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama.
A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry Ma Zhaoxu said in a statement Wednesday that Beijing is against any meeting between a U.S. leader and the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader in any context.
China has warned such a meeting would further harm bilateral relations.
China's response comes a day after a White House spokesman confirmed Mr. Obama planned to follow through with his pledge to hold talks with the Dalai Lama. The spokesman did not say when the meeting will take place.
The Dalai Lama was in the United States last year, just before Mr. Obama traveled to China. But the president decided not to meet with him until after that trip.
A U.S. State Department spokesman Tuesday said that despite this disagreement with China, there is no sign of a fundamental change in U.S.-Chinese relations. He said there are traditional issues over which the two countries "just agree to disagree," but he said the broader relationship is sound.
U.S. relations with China have been further strained by U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, Chinese Internet censorship and other issues. Administration officials acknowledge there has been an unusual convergence of public disputes with China in recent days.
However, U.S. officials say it is important to maintain relationships with both China and Tibet's government-in-exile.