"At the physical level, China has occupied us but Tibetan spirit or mental level is never controlled," Lama told Strat News Global.

"Chinese control Tibet by weapon but we influence their minds," he said by describing Chinese government as 'invaders'.

"In the long run, our kind of influence is stronger than their weapons," he said.

Dalai Lama has been living in India  ever since he fled Tibet in 1959 during the Tibetan uprising.

The Buddhist spiritual leader created a government-in-exile in north Indian HImalayan region of Dharamsala. He even launched a campaign to reclaim Tibet from China.

India had granted asylum to Dalai Lama in 1959.