(Adds quotes, writes through)

BEIJING, Oct 24 (Reuter) - China said on Thursday it had lodged a strong protest with the European Union (EU) over a meeting between officials of the European Parliament and exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

"We have expressed our intense dissatisfaction and serious protest to the European side," Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang told a news briefing.

"The action of the European Union is open support and connivance with the splittist activities of the Dalai Lama," Shen said.

The Dalai Lama met European Parliament officials on Wednesday during a three-day visit to Strasbourg, France, and proposed autonomy for his Himalayan homeland.

"The European Parliament has provided a platform for the Dalai Lama's splittist activities to split the motherland," Shen said.

The Dalai Lama's comments to EU officials were restrained, dismissing any notion of economic sanctions against China over its rule in Tibet.

The Dalai Lama also told members of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee that it would be wrong to try to isolate China.

"China must join the world economy," he was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Parliament. He said economic pressure did not work in forcing change.

A meeting between the Dalai Lama and Australian Prime Minister John Howard last month infuriated Beijing and prompted a demand from China that Australia rectify its mistake or face possible trade retaliation.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule and won the Nobel Peace Prize 30 years later for his peaceful autonomy campaign.

China has denied accusations of widespread human rights abuses since its troops marched into the region.