US leaders' meeting with Dalai Lama will damage Sino-US ties, warns Beijing

Beijing, Feb. 2 (ANI): China has warned of serious damage to its bilateral ties with the US, if American leaders go ahead with their plan to meet with the Dalai Lama.

Xinhua quoted Zhu Weiqun, executive vice minister of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, as saying that the move would "harm others but bring no profit to itself either."

He added that the US side would violate international rules by making such a decision.

"If a country decides to do so, we will take necessary measures to help them realize this," he added.

Meanwhile, China's State Council Information Office held a press conference to brief media on the latest talks between central government officials and private representatives of the Dalai Lama.

Earlier, authorities had said that while the door for contact and talks remains open to the Dalai Lama, no concessions would be made on issues concerning national sovereignty. (ANI)