China on Saturday warned foreign leaders representing various governments from meeting the Dalai Lama, Reuters reported. Communist Party of China leader Zhan Yijiong said any country or any organisation meeting the Tibetan spiritual leader will be hurting the sentiment of the Chinese people.

“Officials, in their capacity as officials, attending all foreign-related activities represent their governments,” Yijiong said on the sidelines of a party congress. “So, I hope governments around the world speak and act with caution and give full consideration to their friendship with China and their respect for China’s sovereignty.”

The Dalai Lama fled from Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against China. He has been living in exile in India since.

China had protested when India hosted the Tibetan spiritual leader in the Northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh, in April. Beijing considers Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet, and believes that the 14th Dalai Lama is a separatist who is trying to carve out an independent state. India, on the other hand, has disputed these claims.