BEIJING - China on Saturday expressed strong discontent and opposition to the meeting between Mexican President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa and the Dalai Lama.

"This grossly interferes in China's internal affairs, hurts the feelings of the Chinese people, and damages China-Mexico relations," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu in a press release.

Despite strong objections and representations from China, the Mexican side arranged Calderon's meeting with the Dalai Lama on September 9 local time, Ma said.

China's Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Mexico have lodged solemn representations to the Mexican side in Beijing and Mexico City, according to the spokesperson.

Referring to the Tibet issue as China's internal affairs, Ma said issues regarding Tibet concern China's core interests and the Chinese people's feelings.

The Dalai Lama had been engaged in secessionist activities in the name of religion for years, he said, adding that China firmly opposes any foreign leaders and government officials meeting with the Dalai Lama in any form.

"The Mexican leader's meeting with the Dalai Lama went against the commitments of the Mexican side," he said, urging the country to take concrete actions to eliminate the negative impact of the issue and maintain the healthy development of China-Mexico relations.