BEIJING, Sept 16 (AFP) - China expressed its strong disatisfaction Monday at the Dalai Lama's visit to Australia and warned it could take action against Canberra.

"Despite the repeated expression of our solemn position, the Australian side still allowed the Dalai Lama to visit and it arranged for government leaders to meet him," a foreign ministry spokesman said.

"We express our deep regret and strong disatisfaction and we reserve the right for further response," he added.

The Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader in exile, arrived in Australia Saturday for a 15-day religious mission and met with Foreign Minister Alexander Downer.

He was also hopeful of meeting Prime Minister John Howard. "The Dalai Lama is not only a religious figure. He is a political exile who has over the years engaged in activities aimed at damaging national unity by asserting Tibetan independence and splitting the motherland," the spokesman said.