China has urged some governments and parties to be wary of the Dalai Lama's words and actions and not to support his separatist moves.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu yesterday said the Dalai Lama was reportedly to visit Australia's capital of Canberra from June 6 to 16, his first to the country in five years, and that Prime Minister John Howard was considering meeting with him.

The Dalai Lama's words and actions clearly show he is not a purely religious figure, but a leader of a certain separatist group under the pretext of religion, Jiang said at a regular news conference.

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The Dalai Lama represents a political force advocating Tibet's "independence", which is resolutely opposed by the central government and people, Jiang said.

Earlier this week, a Tibet "independence" group said it wants to send a team to compete in the Beijing Olympic Games next year.

Jiang said Tibet is part of "China's domestic affairs" and there is no doubt about that.

"The Chinese people and government are devoted to the preparation for the Olympic Games in 2008," she said, and "we are opposed to attempt to link the Olympic Games with politics".

Asked to comment on former French President Jacques Chirac's contribution to Sino-French relationship, Jiang said: "Chirac is an old friend of China".

During his 12 years in office, Chirac handled Sino-French relations from the strategic perspective, insisted on one-China policy and pushed bilateral ties to a higher level, Jiang said.

"China will continue to develop bilateral relations with the new government", led by his successor Nicolas Sarkozy, she said.

(China Daily 05/18/2007 page2)