( CNN ) -- China says it is opposed to an upcoming meeting between the U.S. president and Tibetan spiritual leader , the Dalai Lama , and is calling on Barack Obama to cancel the visit . Obama will meet with the Dalai Lama at the White House on Saturday , according to a statement . The White House statement went on to say that the visit will highlight Obama 's support for dialogue between representatives of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government . But the issue of Tibet is one that `` involves China 's sovereignty and territorial integrity , '' Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement . `` We oppose foreign leaders meeting with the Dalai Lama in any format . '' The foreign ministry statement went on to ask that Obama reverse his decision to meet with the exiled spiritual leader , as well as to `` stop interfering with China 's internal affairs and damaging Sino-U.S . relations . '' 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 .
U.S. president to meet with Buddhist spiritual leader at the White House on Saturday . China 's Foreign Ministry asks Obama to reverse the decision to meet with the Dalai Lama . The Dalai Lama has been in Washington for nearly two weeks .