Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Thursday urged the United States to stop using issues related to southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region to interfere in the country's internal affairs.

Zhao made the remarks in response to a query about a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and a representative of the Dalai Lama in New Delhi.

Any form of contact between a U.S. official and the Dalai Lama goes against the U.S. commitment to recognizing Tibet as part of China and not supporting "Tibetan independence," Zhao said, noting that the 14th Dalai Lama, who is a "political exile under the cloak of religion," has long been engaging in anti-China separatist activities.

"China firmly opposes all forms of contact between officials of any country and the Dalai Lama," Zhao said.

Vowing to take all necessary measures to safeguard its interests, China urges the U.S. to stop providing any support to the forces vying for "Tibetan independence" and engaging in anti-China activities, he said.

"China will take all necessary measures to safeguard its own interests," Zhao added.

(CGTN's Su Yuting contributed to this report.)

(Cover: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian. /CFP)