China warns foreign nations against receiving spiritual leader Dalai Lama

Shortly after United States President Barack Obama warmly acknowledged the Dalai Lama at a "prayer breakfast" in Washington on Thursday, China has warned foreign countries against receiving the spiritual leader and interfering in China's internal affairs in the name of issues regarding Tibet.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei accused the Dalai Lama of seeking foreign support to achieve his political ambition, which would never succeed, reported Xinhua News.

He called the Tibetan leader a "political exile" who has been engaging in "secessionist activities under the cloak of religion."

Obama had hailed the Dalai Lama as an inspiration for freedom and dignity of all human beings while calling him a "good friend."