During a press conference held on 9 May, 2013, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying answered the question about China-UK relationship.

Q: UK Prime Minister David Cameron reportedly told the parliament on May 8 that the UK recognizes Tibet as part of China, does not support "Tibetan independence" and respects China's sovereignty, adding that the UK wants to "have a strong and positive relationship with China". What is China's comment?

A: Tibet is an inalienable part of China and Tibet-related issues are China's internal affairs. The Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-China separatist activities in the name of religion. China is firmly opposed to foreign leaders' meeting with the Dalai Lama in whatever form as well as foreign countries' intervention in China's internal affairs under whatever pretext. China always hopes that the UK could respect China's major concerns and take concrete measures to bring bilateral relations back to the track of sound development. We have noted Prime Minister Cameron's remarks and hope that the UK would continue to respect China's major concerns, deal with relevant issue in a correct and prudent way and send a coherent message to the outside world.