Washington: Ignoring strong protests from China that the US was interfering with its internal affairs by hosting the Dalai Lama, US President George W Bush met with the Tibetan spiritual leader at the White House and said America was committed to preserving Tibet's unique identity.

President Bush, after receiving the Dalai Lama on September 10, said America had a "strong commitment to support the preservation of Tibet's unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity, and the protection of the Human Rights of all Tibetans", said, White House spokesman Scott McLellan.

The Dalai Lama, after his second visit to the White House in as many years, told reporters that his meeting with Bush and the earlier one with Secretary of State Colin Powell had been "very useful".

Both the leaders had shown "their genuine interest and sympathy regarding our problem", he said.

The Tibetan leader said that he was fully committed to the "middle-way approach" in his dialogue with China, "not seeking independence".

McLellan said Bush also declared his strong support for the Dalai Lama's commitment to dialogue with China.

"The President said he would seek ways to encourage China to continue the dialogue on a substantive basis, and expressed his hope that the Chinese government would respond favourably," he said.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry said the country has lodged a serious complaint with US over the visit.

"China urges US to stop using the Tibet issue to interfere with China's internal affairs," a spokesman said.

PTI