Beijing, Mar 29 (IANS): China has urged the US to stop meddling in its internal affairs through the Tibet issue.

"We are resolutely opposed to it," the China Daily quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei as saying at a news briefing Wednesday while stressing that China was committed to protect its people's legitimate rights and guaranteeing their freedom of religion.

Some members of the US Congress called black "white" so that they could use the Tibet issue as an excuse to interfere with China's internal affairs, he said.

The Chinese foreign ministry's comments came after the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Tuesday approved a bill that would call on China to ease restrictions in Tibetan areas and free prisoners.

"We advise these members to recognise the facts, discard prejudice, stop any interference in China's internal affairs and do more things conducive to the Sino-US relations, not the other way around," Hong said.