Beijing: China on Tuesday announced it has ceased "all engagement" with Czech President Petr Pavel over his meeting with the Dalai Lama last month. "In disregard to China's repeated protests and strong opposition," Pavel met with the Dalai Lama, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian in a statement. Pavel met the Tibetan controversial figure on July 27, in the Ladakh region of the Indian-administered region, which borders China.

According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting between Pavel and the Dalai Lama has been deemed by China as a violation of the political commitment the Czech government had made to uphold China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "This seriously contravenes the political commitment made by the Czech government to the Chinese government, and harms China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Lin stated.

China has expressed its strong disapproval and opposition to the meeting, lodging serious protests with the Czech Republic. The Foreign Ministry, represented by Lin, emphasized the severity of Pavel's actions as a provocative measure, which led to the decision to cease all diplomatic engagement with him.

The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has been a controversial figure, not only due to his political stance but also for incidents like the one in 2023, where he faced public criticism for inappropriate conduct with a student. Despite these controversies, the Dalai Lama continues to be a significant religious and political figure for Tibetans.

China's control over Tibet began in 1951, which it describes as a 'peaceful liberation.' The Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala in northern India after a failed uprising in 1959, where he established a Tibetan government-in-exile, which China does not recognize. The historical debate continues, as China asserts Tibet has been part of its territory since the 13th century, while the Dalai Lama maintains the region's independence prior to the Chinese military's arrival.