Dalai Lama's Olympics call irks China

China on Thursday hit out at the Dalai Lama for his reported call to stage peaceful protests during the Beijing Olympics to highlight the Tibet issue, accusing him of trying to undermine Beijing's relations with other nations and its national unity.

"What kind of a person the Dalai Lama is? He is explicitly, in his words and deeds, a political exile engaged in destabilising activities. His aim is to undermine China's relations with other nations and its national unity," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu told a bi-weekly press briefing in Beijing.

The Dalai Lama is not a religious or spiritual leader, but is engaged in activities to 'separate his motherland,' she said.

"We hope that the relevant countries will recognise his nature and will not support him in his activities," she said.
 
She was asked to comment on reports quoting the Dalai Lama as having urged Tibetans and human rights groups to stage peaceful protects during summer Olympics in August.