China on Tuesday hit out at the Dalai Lama over his snide remarks that Chinese hardliners have parts of their brains missing, saying the Tibetan spiritual leader is a highly "deceptive actor".
"Remarks of the Dalai Lama appeared to be funny and humorous but they are all lies and they are not facts," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told media in Beijing when asked about his comments on the contested issue of his reincarnation during an interview to prominent comedian John Oliver.
Speaking to the British-born comedian in Dharamsala, where the exiled Tibetan government is based, the 81-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader said that he might be the last Dalai Lama.
Asked if he was worried that China might appoint its own Dalai Lama after his death, he said it would be foolish.
"Our brain usually, you see, has the ability to create common sense. The Chinese hardliners, in their brain, that part of the brain, is missing," the Dalai Lama said.
The foreign ministry spokesman said that China has "noted the programme."
"On the Tibet issue, the Chinese position is clear. You know it very well and I will not repeat it. The 14th Dalai Lama is in political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the disguise of religion," he said.
"From now he can say that he is also an actor. He is very good at acting and is highly deceptive," Geng said.
China views the Nobel Peace laureate, who fled into exile in India after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959, as a dangerous separatist.
China in the past held talks with him for reconciliation after he fled from Tibet. But no such talks were held after President Xi Jinping took over as the new leader in 2012 and Beijing kept pressure on various countries not to host him.
China has also recently criticised India for allowing the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing claims as southern Tibet.
