The Dalai Lama has offered prayers for victims of the powerful earthquake that hit the Chinese autonomous region of Tibet earlier this week. More than 120 people have been killed in the disaster.

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism led a memorial service on Thursday, together with scores of his monks.
It took place in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. Many Tibetans fled to the country along with the Dalai Lama following a 1959 uprising, setting up their government-in-exile there.

China expressed displeasure toward an earlier statement by the holy leader expressing sadness over the disaster.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday, "Regarding the separatist nature and political plots of the Dalai Lama, we are very clear, and remain highly vigilant."

China claims Tibet as an inalienable part of its territory.
Beijing is apparently wary that the exiled leader will use the pretext of the earthquake to expand his influence in the region.