China angry after Dalai Lama becomes citizen of Rome

ROME, February 10 (RIA Novosti) - China has complained to Italy's Foreign Ministry over a decision to make the Dalai Lama an honorary citizen of Rome, saying the decision "offended the Chinese people."

Tibet's spiritual leader was made an honorary citizen of the Italian capital on Monday by the city's mayor, Gianni Alemanno. China has accused the Dalai Lama, 73, of being behind the violence that hit Tibet last March. Beijing says 19 people were killed and 623 injured in the unrest.

"We express strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a news conference on Tuesday.

Yu also called Tibet "a matter of sovereignty and the territorial integrity" of China.

However, Italy's Foreign Ministry has attempted to distance itself from the decision.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already explained several times to the Chinese ambassador to Italy that the mayors of Italian cities are autonomous and make decisions completely independent from [Italy's] government," a Foreign Ministry statement read.

It was also noted that the Italian government "supports the policy of a united China."