From correspondents in Beijing, China, 08:06 PM IST

China has voiced strong dissatisfaction over Italian Chamber of Deputies speaker Gianfranco Fini's meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, a media report said Friday.

The Dalai Lama attended the fifth World Parliamentarians Convention on Tibet in Rome and met Fini while visiting Italy's parliament Wednesday.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said China was firmly opposed to the Dalai Lama's 'separatist activities' and any foreign dignitary's contacts with him in any form, Xinhua reported.

'We demand the Italian side respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and do more that is conducive to bilateral relations,' Qin said in a statement.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)