Chinese authorities have severed contacts with the President of the Czech Republic

The Chinese authorities refuse to maintain any contacts with Czech President Petr Pavel because of his meeting with the Dalai Lama XIV, which damaged China's sovereignty. This was stated by the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Lin Jian.

"Despite the representations that we have repeatedly made [to the Czech side], as well as China's strong protest, Czech President Petr Pavel insisted on meeting with the Dalai Lama in India. This is a serious violation of the political obligations of the Czech authorities to the Chinese government, damaging the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the PRC," he stressed, commenting on the Czech leader's trip.

"In connection with the provocative actions of Pyotr Pavel, China has decided not to maintain any contacts with him," the diplomat said.