“China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this, and has lodged serious protests with the Czech side. In light of the severity of Pavel’s provocative action, China decides to cease all engagement with him,” the spokesperson said.

China routinely protests any leaders and officials meeting the Dalai Lama, whom it terms a separatist.

Pavel met the Dalai Lama in Ladakh on 27 July. This was the first time that a sitting head of state visited India to meet the Dalai Lama, who had reached Leh on 12 July on a month-long tour of the union territory.

“During the meeting, the President extended his warm congratulations to His Holiness on the occasion of his 90th birthday,” the office of the spiritual leader posted on X.