China said Wednesday it firmly opposes foreign leaders' contact with the Dalai Lama after a White House official said earlier this week U.S. President Barack Obama would be ready to meet the monk "at the appropriate time."

"China firmly opposes foreign leaders' and officials' contact with the Dalai Lama. Our position on this issue is consistent and clear," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in response to a question about the White House official's remarks.

The U.S. official made the statement at a news briefing before Obama's forthcoming first presidential visit to China.