China asked India on Wednesday to immediately stop acting in ways that harm China's interests by using the Dalai Lama, and said it would take necessary measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said India insisted on arranging visits by the Dalai Lama to areas where China and India have territorial disputes, regardless of Beijing's concerns, adding that such actions seriously damage China's interests and China-India relations.

"China is firmly opposed to it and will lodge solemn representations to India," Hua told a daily news conference in Beijing.