China has protested to the United States over a visit by the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, during which he is expected to meet President George W Bush.
The Foreign Ministry in Beijing said it has expressed grave concern over the trip scheduled for next month.
"The Dalai Lama is not purely a religious figure but a long-term political exile involved in separatist activities," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
It urged Washington not to allow the unconfirmed visit, which it says the Dalai Lama will use to try to split China.
It also called on the US to abide by its pledge to recognise Tibet as part of China.
11 September anniversary
During the Dalai Lama's three week visit, he will also take part in a ceremony to mark the second anniversary of the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington.
The Nobel prize winner last met Mr Bush at the White House in May 2001.
Beijing's communist troops occupied Tibet in 1951.
The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 following an abortive uprising against Chinese rule and heads what he calls a government-in-exile in the mountain town of Dharmsala in India.
Earlier this week, Tibet's new governor said the Dalai Lama may return to Tibet only as a Chinese citizen and only if he renounces all notions of independence.