China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday it had formally protested the Dalai Lama's Arunachal Pradesh visit both in New Delhi, through its envoy, and in Beijing, where India's Ambassador Vijay Gokhale was summoned.

Reiterating its opposition to the visit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday the visit would "fuel tensions", and called on India to respect its "core interests".

"I can confirm China has lodged representations with the Indian side both in Beijing with the Indian Ambassador, and in Delhi we lodged representations with competent officials in the External Affairs Ministry," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

"I want to reemphasize that on issues concerning China's major concerns and core interests, territory and sovereignty, China's position is consistent. By inviting and approving the Dalai Lama to visit disputed areas between China and India, India has damaged our interests and the India-China relationship and it has fuelled tensions," said Hua.

She said China was "opposed to attempts by the relevant country to arrange a platform for the Dalai Lama to conduct anti-China activities".

INDIA'S MOVE VINDICTIVE: CHINA

China's State media on Thursday hit out at India over the Dalai Lama's on-going visit, suggesting the move may have been in response to recent strains, such as China's blocking of sanctions against Pakistani terrorist Masood Azhar and India's failed bid to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

The official China Daily said in an editorial, "If New Delhi chooses to play dirty, however, Beijing should not hesitate to answer blows with blows", while the Global Times, a Party-run tabloid, pointed to "the fact that India's turbulent northern state borders China" referring to Kashmir and asked, "if China engages in a geopolitical game with India, will Beijing lose to New Delhi?"

NEED TO STRENGTHEN MUTUAL POLITICAL TRUST

The Foreign Ministry said it "will not make any assumptions on India's intentions" when asked at a press briefing if China saw a connection with recent strains, such as the NSG issue.

"We hope the two sides can follow the principle of mutual respect for each other's core interests and major concerns, and we should do more things that can strengthen mutual political trust and the interests of India China relations."

"On India's NSG application we have stated our position many times," Hua added. "This should be resolved by all member states of the group. We should achieve a solution that applies indiscriminately to all non-NPT members, through consultation and discussions".

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