JOHANNESBURG , South Africa ( CNN ) -- South Africa has refused the Dalai Lama a visa to attend an international peace conference in Johannesburg this week , a presidential spokesman said . The Dalai Lama fled China in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule . The Tibetan spiritual leader and Nobel Laureate did not receive a visa because it was not in South Africa 's interest for him to attend , said Thabo Masebe . South Africa thinks that , if the Dalai Lama attended the conference , the focus would shift away from the 2010 World Cup -- the global soccer championship it will host next year . `` We can not allow focus to shift to China and Tibet , '' Masebe said , adding that South Africa has gained much from its trading relationship with China . The Dalai Lama 's fellow laureate , Archbishop Desmond Tutu , said he would boycott the event . Watch the controversy surrounding South Africa 's decision » . Former president F.W . De Klerk , another laureate , backed Tutu , saying in a statement that he would also not participate in the conference if the Dalai Lama remained excluded . De Klerk said that the decision to refuse the visa made a `` mockery '' of the peace conference . `` The decision to exclude the Dalai Lama is irreconcilable with key principles on which our society is based including the principles of accountability , openness and responsiveness and the rights to freedom of expression and free political activity , '' he said . `` South Africa is a sovereign constitutional democracy and should not allow other countries to dictate to it regarding who it should , and should not admit to its territory - regardless of the power and influence of the country . '' A representative of the Dalai Lama said he was not surprised by the decision . The Tibetan government in exile thinks that China has pressured many countries to refuse a visit by the Dalai Lama , according to Chhime Chhoekyapa , an aide in Dharamsala , India . The Dalai Lama fled China in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule . The peace conference was billed as an opportunity to showcase South Africa 's role as a human-rights champion ahead of its hosting of soccer 's World Cup next year . It was to bring together Noble Laureates and top soccer officials . In addition to Tutu and De Klerk , laureates Nelson Mandela and Martti Ahtisaari , Sepp Blatter , president of soccer 's international governing body , and actress Charlize Theron were invited to attend . The event had the blessing of the Nobel Committee .
Spokesman : `` Not in South Africa 's interest for him ( Dalai Lama ) to attend '' South Africa says it is worried focus will switch away from 2010 World Cup . It added South Africa has gained much from its trading relationship with China . The Chinese government said the visit would be a "historic opportunity" and that Beijing was looking forward to working closely with Nelson Mandela on issues of mutual interest.