China said on Thursday it has lodged stern representations with the United States after US leaders talked with the Dalai Lama and met his representative in the United States.

"We urge the US side to strictly abide by international laws and regulations, honor its commitment to recognize Tibet as an inalienable part of China, not to support Tibet independence and stop interfering in China's internal affairs," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a routine press conference.

Liu said the Dalai Lama was not purely a religious person but was an exiled politician engaged in activities intended to separate Tibet from China and disrupt national unity.

George W. Bush telephoned the Dalai Lama and expressed concern over his health after he canceled a recent visit to Europe due to health reasons.

(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2008)