China yesterday expressed strong indignation and firm objections to French President Nicolas Sarkozy's meeting with the Dalai Lama on Saturday in Poland.

"The French side's wrong action grossly interfered in China's internal affairs and also severely hurt the feelings of the Chinese people," said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao in a press release.

Liu reaffirmed that China had always valued Sino-French ties. He urged France to take China's position and concerns into serious consideration, take a proper attitude and correct its mistake with substantial action, so as to ensure the steady and sound development of bilateral relations.