BEIJING, Oct. 29 -- China strongly urged the United States to stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to a query about Sam Brownback, the U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom, recently meeting with the ** Lama in India and his words about picking a successor to the ** Lama.

Pointing out that the 14th ** Lama is a political exile under the cloak of religion who has long been engaging in anti-China separatist activities, Geng said China resolutely opposes any form of contact between any foreign official and the ** Lama.

"Relevant words and deeds of the U.S. official violated the U.S. commitment to recognize Tibet as part of China and to not support 'Tibetan independence.' China is firmly opposed to this move," Geng told a press briefing.

The reincarnation of living Buddhas is an institution of succession unique to Tibetan Buddhism and is governed by fixed religious rituals and historical conventions. The reincarnation system is respected and protected by such legal instruments as the Regulations on Religious Affairs and Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas, Geng said.

"The institution of the reincarnation of the ** Lama has been in existence for several hundred years. The 14th ** Lama himself was found and recognized following religious rituals and historical conventions and his succession was approved by the then central government. Therefore the reincarnation of living Buddhas including the ** Lama must comply with Chinese laws and regulations and follow religious rituals and historical conventions," said the spokesperson.

"We strongly urge the U.S. side to stop any form of contact with the ** clique, stop making irresponsible remarks, stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, and do more to advance China-U.S. mutual trust and cooperation," he added.

BEIJING, Oct. 29 -- China strongly urged the United States to stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to a query about Sam Brownback, the U.S. ambassador at large for international religious freedom, recently meeting with the ** Lama in India and his words about picking a successor to the ** Lama.

Pointing out that the 14th ** Lama is a political exile under the cloak of religion who has long been engaging in anti-China separatist activities, Geng said China resolutely opposes any form of contact between any foreign official and the ** Lama.

"Relevant words and deeds of the U.S. official violated the U.S. commitment to recognize Tibet as part of China and to not support 'Tibetan independence.' China is firmly opposed to this move," Geng told a press briefing.

The reincarnation of living Buddhas is an institution of succession unique to Tibetan Buddhism and is governed by fixed religious rituals and historical conventions. The reincarnation system is respected and protected by such legal instruments as the Regulations on Religious Affairs and Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas, Geng said.

"The institution of the reincarnation of the ** Lama has been in existence for several hundred years. The 14th ** Lama himself was found and recognized following religious rituals and historical conventions and his succession was approved by the then central government. Therefore the reincarnation of living Buddhas including the ** Lama must comply with Chinese laws and regulations and follow religious rituals and historical conventions," said the spokesperson.

"We strongly urge the U.S. side to stop any form of contact with the ** clique, stop making irresponsible remarks, stop using Tibet-related issues to interfere in China's internal affairs, and do more to advance China-U.S. mutual trust and cooperation," he added.