BEIJING - A spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry on Friday reiterated the country's firm opposition to the Dalai Lama's separatist activities.

"China resolutely opposes the Dalai Lama's separatist activities in whatever capacity and in whatever name in any country," spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing in response to a question on South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal ruling on Thursday that the South African government acted unlawfully in a failed visa application by the Dalai Lama.

According to news reports, the Supreme Court of Appeal said the Department of Home Affairs had "unreasonably delayed" its decision to grant the Dalai Lama and his entourage visas to attend Desmond Tutu's 80th birthday last year.

Hong said China has taken notice of the reports.

"I would like to once again state that the Dalai Lama is a political exile that has long been engaged in activities to split China under the guise of religion," Hong said. "He has never ceased activities to seek Tibet's independence."

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