By Sanjoy Hazarika

Source: The New York Times

NEW DELHI, July 11 -- The Chinese Government has expressed disapproval over a three-day 60th birthday party for the Dalai Lama here last week at which the exiled Tibetan religious and political leader spoke out against the Chinese occupatio of his homeland.

"The birthday celebrations were more than a religious function or birthday reception," a Chinese Embassy spokesman said on Monday. "We regard it as political, and we will take up this matter accordingly with the Government of India." Last week, hundreds of people from Asia, the United States and Europe traveled here Delhi to express support for the Dalai Lama, who won the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize. Thousands of followers as well as diplomats and officials thronged a reception in the state-run Ashok Hotel to greet him.

"In recent times, unspeakable misfortune has overtaken my country," the Dalai Lama told his supporters, praising India for enabling his refugee community to keep its traditions alvie. "The continued Chinese occupation of Tibet poses an increasing threat to the very existence of a distinct Tibetan national and cultural identity," he added. He described his campaign as one to "save my people and their unique heritage from total annihilation."

The Chinese Ambassador to India, Pei Yuanying, said, "What we are opposed to is political activity held under the cover of birthday celebrations." India and China fought a border war in 1962 and began renewing trade and political relations in 1976. India's position is that Tibet is part of China. But it gives support to the Dalai Lama, regarded as the world's most beloved Buddhist monk, to preach Buddhism and speak about his traditions.

The Dalai Lama fled his homeland with tens of thousands of supporters in 1959 when an armed uprising against the Chinese failed, and has since lived in exile in India.