MOSCOW - RUSSIA on Monday said China's relations with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama were 'an internal matter' for Beijing and criticised attempts to 'politicise' China's hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games.

'Russia has often stated that Tibet is an integral part of China and it considers relations with the Dalai Lama an internal matter for China,' the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

'Attempts at politicising the holding of the 2008 Olympic Games in China are unacceptable,' the statement continued. -- AFP