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China has urged the US to immediately withdraw a decision on a meeting between American President Barack Obama and exiled Tibetan leader Dalai Lama.

China Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu on Friday fiercely protested against the planned meeting.

"China firmly opposes the Dalai Lama visiting the United States and US leaders' contacting with him," Xinhua quoted Ma as saying.

"We urge the US side to fully understand the high sensitivity of Tibet-related issues, honor its commitment to recognizing Tibet as part of China and opposing "Tibet independence."

Senior officials in Beijing have warned Washington against the meeting. The US has ignored Beijing's warnings, saying Obama will meet the Dalai Lama next week.

China opposes most activities and foreign trips of the Dalai Lama who lives in exile in India.

Beijing regards him as a separatist, accusing him of advocating Tibet's independence from Chinese rule.

The Dalai Lama rejects the accusation, and says he wants partial autonomy for the Himalayan region.

Relations between Beijing and Washington are at a fragile state.

China has already reduced its military cooperation with the Pentagon over USD 6.4 billion worth of US arms sales to Taiwan.

Chinese government says that a Beijing decision to impose unspecified sanctions on US firms selling weapons to Taiwan was an "appropriate" measure.

Washington has also threatened Beijing with 'consequences,' should the Asian nation continue to oppose more sanctions against Iran over its nuclear energy program.

Relations between China and the United States have gone from bad to worse over a number of issues. Analysts say such talks would hurt already strained ties between the two countries.