Sarkozy has left open the possibility of holding face-to-face talks with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, who has met with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President George W. Bush.

"If such a meeting took place, it would have serious consequences because it would be contrary to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs," said Ambassador Kong Quan.

"The Dalai Lama is not only a spiritual leader but also and above all someone who has separatist activities and who leads a government-in-exile," he told reporters in Paris.

Kong spoke on the eve of a meeting between Sarkozy and Chinese President Hu Jintao in Japan during which the French president is to announce whether he will be attending the August 8 opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

The ambassador cited French press reports suggesting that Sarkozy would be attending the ceremony and said this "leads me to believe that he will be there."

Sarkozy has said that he would consult other European leaders as France holds the EU presidency but that he was prepared to go if talks between Beijing and the Dalai Lama showed progress.