BEIJING: China warned on Tuesday that it was "resolutely opposed" to foreign countries receiving the Dalai Lama as the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader began a US visit.

"China is resolutely against the Dalai's engagement in activities aimed at splitting China under any capacity, under any name, and in any country," foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a statement issued to AFP.

"China is resolutely opposed to meetings with the Dalai Lama in any form by officials from any country."

The Dalai Lama was set Tuesday to receive an award at the US Capitol Complex a day after arriving for a week-long trip to Washington that will also feature sold-out public talks on spirituality.

However, US President Barack Obama was not scheduled to meet the Dalai Lama on this visit, making him the first sitting president not to meet him since 1991 as his administration seeks to broaden ties with China.

China views the Dalai Lama as a separatist seeking independence for his mountainous Buddhist region, a charge he denies.