Beijing has warned Germany of "defending Tibet independence," saying the match host must ensure respect between the countries. The activists said they only wanted to highlight the plight of Tibetans in China.
On Saturday, Chinese U-20 players ran off the field in the 25th minute after six activists waved Tibetan flags during the game.
"We are firmly opposed to any country or any individual offering support to separatist, anti-China and terrorist activities or activities defending Tibet independence, in any form or under any pretext," said China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang, during a press briefing.
"I must stress that mutual respect is what the official host should provide their guest, and that respect between any two countries should be mutual."
Ronny Zimmerman, vice president of the German Football Association (DFB), suggested that China's response was unmerited.
"We cannot ban the protests, there is the right to freedom of expression here and certain rules apply," said Zimmerman. "As a guest, you should be able to handle it calmly and stand above such actions."
Players from the TSV Schott Mainz tried to intervene, calling on the activists not to interrupt the gameImage: picture-alliance/dpa/H. Bratic
'Violent occupation'
Activists from the Tibet-Initiative Germany, which organized the protest at the match in Mainz, said they wanted to highlight the plight of Tibetans.
"We want to draw attention to the unlawful and violent occupation of Tibet and the suppression of fundamental human rights," one of the activists told the German Press Agency (dpa).
China's communist forces "peacefully liberated" Tibet in 1950, according to Beijing. The communist government has since insisted that Tibetans enjoy extensive freedoms, and claimed responsibility for the region's economic growth.
Beijing has long considered the Dalai Lama a "separatist." The Dalai Lama fled to India after a failed uprising in 1959, although he is still widely revered by Tibetans in China.
The Dalai Lama: The great communicator
The Dalai Lama is currently in the German city of Frankfurt. For decades, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people has been relentlessly campaigning for the rights of the oppressed.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
A tireless traveler
The Dalai Lama is a tireless traveler who maintains good relations with the international community. The spiritual leader does not have much power, but he uses his close ties to politicians, celebrities and leaders for the cause of Tibetan autonomy. But meeting with the Dalai Lama can be tricky for world leaders because of the likelihood of straining relations with China.
Image: Reuters
Beijing not amused
The Dalai Lama's reception in 2007, hosted by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, was much resented by the Chinese government and was even criticized by some German politicians. In May 2008, German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek –Zeul informally met the Dalai Lama outside his official residence shortly after the riots in Lhasa.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Cracking jokes
The Tibetan leader's sense of humor is as legendary as his laughter. Here, the Dalai Lama is seen conversing with the Archbishop of South Africa, Desmond Tutu, at a conference in Seattle in 2008.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
No fear of contact
During his years as premier of the German state of Hesse, conservative politician Roland Koch was notorious for his tough anti-immigration stance. But this did not hinder his close friendship with the Dalai Lama, whom he invited several times. In this 2009 picture, Koch greets the Dalai Lama near Frankfurt with traditional warmth.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Friend and teacher
Here, during a 2005 gala event at the Kurhaus Wiesbaden, the Dalai Lama accompanies his longest-standing friend Heinrich Harrer off the stage. The Austrian mountaineer got to know the Dalai Lama in Lhasa in 1946 after having escaped from a British internment camp in India. Harrer later became the Dalai Lama's teacher. He died in Carinthia, Austria, aged 94.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Sarkozy says "Non"
France's former "première dame" Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and the Dalai Lama met at the inauguration of a Buddhist temple in southern France. But much to the regret of human rights activists, then French President Nicolas Sarkozy didn't receive the Dalai Lama during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Deceptive closeness
China's attempt to involve the Dalai Lama in the "liberation" of Tibet failed. Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong is shown here in Beijing as the "protector" of the two highest Tibetan dignitaries, the Dalai (R) and the Panchen Lama. The picture was taken in 1956, three years before the Dalai Lama fled to India.
Image: AFP/Getty Images
Diplomatic symbolism
At the beginning of 2014, US President Obama invited the Dalai Lama to a "private meeting" at the White House. Although the talks didn't take place in the Oval Office – which is usually used to host foreign dignitaries – it was the third meeting between the two men. Beijing warned that it would regard the meeting as a "gross interference in China's internal affairs."
