Melbourne, June 12 : China has warned Australia to not allow the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to carry out separatist activities on its territory.

“We request Australia to pay attention to our grave concerns and not allow the Dalai Lama to engage in separatist activities on Australian territory," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.

“The Chinese Government firmly opposes the Dalai Lama's engagement in separatist activities in any country under any name and firmly opposes any country offering the Dalai support or convenience to engage in separatist activities, he added.

Qin was commenting on the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner’s ongoing visit to Australia.

China has continued to accuse the Dalai Lama of seeking an independent Tibet, but the Buddhist leader has repeatedly denied such accusations while calling for greater autonomy for his homeland from Chinese rule.

In Sydney today, the Dalai Lama reiterated his call for “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet, while appealing to Tibetans not to interfere with the Beijing Olympic torch relay as it passes through the capital Lhasa in coming days. (ANI)