By Guo Ji (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-10-31 07:28

China Tuesday asked Canada to stop supporting and shielding Tibetan secessionists' activities to prevent further damage to bilateral relations.

Canada's actions are "seriously detrimental to China-Canada relations", Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a regular press conference. He was asked about the impact on bilateral ties of the public meetings of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor-General Michaelle Jean with the Dalai Lama on Monday.

"The Canadian side violated the basic international norm and blatantly interfered in China's internal affairs," he said.

"The words and deeds of the Dalai Lama during the past decades show he is a political exile who engages in secessionist activities and undermines the unity of ethnic groups in the name of religion," he said.

"China has been opposing countries and individuals using the Dalai Lama issue to interfere in China's internal affairs," he said.

China expresses "dissatisfaction and resolute opposition" to the Canada's actions, Liu said.

The Chinese embassy in Canada sent a letter to that country's government on Monday, hoping that Canada would take "concrete steps to safeguard China-Canada relations".

Darfur issue

Responding to some British legislators' criticism of China for its role in the Darfur issue, Liu said they were "irresponsible".

Some UK lawmakers delivered a letter to the Chinese embassy in London on Monday, criticizing China's role in Darfur, and hinting at a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics because of that.

"To criticize China on the Darfur issue is an irresponsible act," Liu said. "China has been playing a constructive role in Darfur. It's there for all to see."

He reiterated China's support for the UN road map for a political solution to the problem and urged the Darfur rebels to participate in the peace talks.

"We regret that the legislators of some countries turn a blind eye to what China has done and is doing in Darfur."

Japan criticized

Liu criticized Japan for violating the international law by firing water canons at a boat carrying Chinese nationals protesting against Japanese occupation of Diaoyu Islands. Japanese Coast Guards fired the canons. "The Diaoyu Islands and the nearby islets have been an integral part of China since ancient times and China has irrefutable sovereignty over them," Liu said.