The office of Botswana's President Ian Khama said last week that the Dalai Lama is being invited to a human rights conference in the capital Gaborone in mid-August.

The office added that the Dalai Lama is also scheduled to meet President Khama.

At a news conference on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang mentioned the Dalai Lama, who seeks greater autonomy for Tibet.

Geng said "China is firmly opposed to Dalai's trip to any country for activities aimed at splitting China in any capacity or name, and contact with any official in any form in any country."

China is increasing its influence in Africa by accelerating its economic expansion on the continent.

Botswana's neighbor, South Africa, defied domestic and international criticism to repeatedly deny the Dalai Lama a visa.

Botswana's economic ties with China are also deepening as Chinese companies are investing in the country's infrastructure, such as power plants.

But Botswana's government is not always in favor of China. Last year, it issued a statement that insinuated criticism of Beijing over the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.