China scolded U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio after he extended birthday wishes to the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader.

“Xizang affairs are purely China’s internal affairs, which brook no external interference,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Tuesday, July 8, using the Chinese name for Tibet.

“As is widely known, the 14th Dalai Lama is not a pure religious figure but a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion.

“He and the so-called ‘Tibetan government in exile’ are in no position at all to represent the people in Xizang, still less decide the future of Xizang.”

Mao said China is protecting and promoting the freedoms of various religious and ethnic groups in Xizang.

“The world can clearly see that, and the U.S. is in no position to point its fingers at China,” Mao said.

“We urged the U.S. to be fully cognizant of the importance and sensitivity of Xizang-related issues, see clearly the anti-China separatist nature of the Dalit group, honor the commitments that the U.S. has made to China on issues related to Xizang, stop meddling in those issues, and stop sending any wrong signal in any form to the Tibet independence forces.”

In a July 5 post to his official X account, Rubio said: “Extending best wishes to His Holiness @DalaiLama on his 90th birthday. The Dalai Lama continues to inspire with his message of unity, peace, and compassion.”

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.