China freezes out Czech Republic president for meeting Dalai Lama

China on 12 August, Tuesday, said it has decided to "cease all engagement" with Czech Republic president Petr Pavel over his recent meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The Chinese foreign ministry also said Beijing has lodged a diplomatic protest with the Czech Republic over Pavel’s meeting with the Dalai Lama.

“In disregard of China’s repeated protests and strong opposition, Czech president Petr Pavel went to India to meet with the Dalai Lama," a spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry said while replying to a question about Pavel's meeting.  

“This seriously contravenes the political commitment made by the Czech government to the Chinese government, and harms China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the spokesperson said in a reply posted on the official website of the ministry.

"China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this, and has lodged serious protests with the Czech side. In light of the severity of Pavel’s provocative action, China decides to cease all engagement with him,” the spokesperson said.

China routinely protests any leaders and officials meeting the Dalai Lama, whom it terms a separatist.

Pavel met the Dalai Lama in Ladakh on 27 July. This was the first time that a sitting head of state visited India to meet the Dalai Lama, who had reached Leh on 12 July on a month-long tour of the union territory.

"During the meeting, the President extended his warm congratulations to His Holiness on the occasion of his 90th birthday," the office of the spiritual leader posted on X.