( CNN ) -- China spoke out strongly Sunday against a meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama , saying it `` hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and harmed Sino-U.S . relations . '' `` This action seriously interfered with China 's internal affairs , '' said Ma Zhaoxu , a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry , in a statement , adding that officials have lodged formal complaints with their U.S. counterparts in Beijing and Washington . Obama met with the Dalai Lama on Saturday in Washington , commending the Tibetan spiritual leader on his commitment to nonviolence and pursuit of the `` Middle Way '' approach with China , the White House said in a statement . During the closed-door visit at the White House , Obama stressed the U.S. policy that `` Tibet is a part of the People 's Republic of China and the United States does not support independence for Tibet , '' the White House said . In the nearly 45-minute meeting , the president voiced support for `` direct dialogue '' between China and Tibet as a way to peace , the statement said . `` The Dalai Lama stated that he is not seeking independence for Tibet and hopes that dialogue between his representatives and the Chinese government can soon resume , '' the White House said . American support of the Dalai Lama has long been a subject of contention in U.S.-China relations . Chinese officials view the religious leader as a separatist . The issue of Tibet is one that `` involves China 's sovereignty and territorial integrity , '' Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement released before the meeting . `` We oppose foreign leaders meeting with the Dalai Lama in any format . '' The strong objection to the meeting continued after it was over . `` By allowing the Dalai Lama to visit the U.S. and arranging the top leader to meet him , the United States has seriously violated basic principles of international relations and its own repeated solemn pledges , and harmed Sino-U.S. relations , '' Ma 's statement said . `` China therefore expresses its strong indignation and firm opposition . '' The statement concluded by calling on the U.S. `` to take China 's solemn and just stance seriously , and adopt immediate measures to eliminate adverse consequences . '' The president last met with his fellow Nobel Peace laureate in February 2010 . The Dalai Lama expressed hopes that his relationship with China can improve , with U.S. help . The current Dalai Lama is also known by the name Tenzin Gyatso . He was born in 1935 in modern-day Qinghai , China . The term `` Dalai Lama '' is a Buddhist religious title . In traditional Tibetan belief , the title is given to those who are the reincarnations of a line of revered religious teachers . The current Dalai Lama is considered the 14th in this line . The Dalai Lama has been in Washington on an 11-day visit . He has conducted a mass ritual for Buddhists and met with several lawmakers on Capitol Hill . CNN 's Steven Jiang contributed to this report .
NEW : `` This action seriously interfered with China 's internal affairs , '' spokesman says . Obama pushes for 'direct dialogue ' between Dalai Lama , Chinese . U.S. does not support independence for Tibet , White House says . Dalal Lama is visiting U.S. lawmakers in Washington on an 11-day trip .