China on Saturday protested over Danish government officials' meeting with the Dalai Lama, saying it "severely damaged the country's core interest".

"China is strongly dissatisfied with and protests over the meetings with the Dalai Lama by Danish officials," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement.

Qin's comments came as Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen and Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller met with the Dalai Lama in Copenhagen Friday.

"Disregarding China's solemn representations, they insisted on meeting with the Dalai Lama, who was campaigning secessionist activities, and that meetings severely harmed China's core interest and China-Denmark relations, and destructed friendly cooperation between China and Denmark," Qin said.

China resolutely opposes the Dalai Lama in conducting activities to split China in whatever status and in whatever country, and any foreign political figures contacting with the Dalai Lama in whatever form, Qin said.

The spokesman said China urged Denmark to respect the country's solemn position and concern, and observe the one-China policy.

"Denmark should take concrete actions to correct its wrongdoings on Tibet-related issues, eliminate the negative impacts and make efforts for the healthy and steady development of China-Denmark relations," Qin said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2009)