WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Sept 12, (AP) -- China stepped up its criticism of New Zealand on Thursday after the visiting Dalai Lama said the prime minister pledged support for human and cultural rights in Tibet.

A Chinese government spokesman in Beijing accused the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader of trying to split Tibet from China, and warned that his visit would harm China-New Zealand relations.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang contended the Dalai Lama is a political figure, not a religious leader.

"On many issues, he does not show a big interest in religion. He shows a big interest in political issues, about splitting the country," Shen said.

A Chinese Embassy official in Wellington said Beijing was "seriously concerned" about a meeting between the Dalai Lama and Prime Minister Jim Bolger on Wednesday.

"We deeply regret the New Zealand government ignored Chinese government representations and provided (the Dalai Lama) with a platform for indulging in political propaganda," embassy spokesman Victor Fu said.

Bolger, who also met the Dalai Lama in 1994, ignored requests from China, first made three months ago, not to meet him again. He refused to say what was discussed during a 30-minute meeting.

But the Dalai Lama said in a television interview that Bolger promised to continue to press China on "human rights violations and ... preservation of Tibetan culture."

The Dalai Lama arrived Tuesday for a five-day speaking tour of New Zealand. He leaves Saturday for a two-week tour of Australia, a visit that is also likely to irk Beijing.

"Whether it's the New Zealand government or Australian government, on Tibet, they should respect China's position," said Shen.

China sent troops into Tibet in 1950 and annexed it, saying the Himalayan region had been its territory for 700 years. Tibetans say they enjoyed de facto independence for much of that time.

The Dalai Lama fled to India after a failed anti-Chinese uprising in 1959 and has since lived in exile.