By JOSEPH SCHUMAN, Associated Press Writer

PARIS (AP) Oct 31-- The Dalai Lama has been honored by French lawmakers a day after President Jacques Chirac shunned the Tibetan Buddhist leader so not to offend China.

Chirac plans to visit China in May, in part to boost commercial relations with a nation that has already bought billions of dollars' worth of nuclear power plants, planes and subway cars from France.

Asked Wednesday whether he was disappointed that Chirac declined to see him, the Dalai Lama said he did not want to create problems for the French leader.

"I know Jacques Chirac is a sincere friend of the Tibetan people, but he is also the president of France," he said.

The French Foreign Ministry, however, broke with its usual reluctance to criticize China and said it was shocked at the 11-year prison sentence given Wednesday to pro-democracy leader Wang Dan.

China sent its army into Tibet in 1950 and maintains a tight grip over the region, but Tibetans allegiance to the Dalai Lama and the goal of independence remain strong.

Senator Claude Huriet said parliament welcomed "a chief of state in exile whom we support." China accuses the Dalai Lama of of promoting the region's independence.

Other legislators also expressed support for the Dalai Lama during his visit to the National Assembly, but said Paris wished to remain close to Beijing.

"We are friends with China and not afraid to say it ... and friends also with the Tibetan people," said Pierre Lellouche, a parliamentary ally of Chirac.