Fearing it will disturb relations between China and South Africa, the South African government refused to issue a travel visa to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama for third time in five years, according to an Associated Press report in TheGuardian.

The Dalai Lama canceled a trip to Cape Town after being refused entry and will be unable to attend the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates next month, his representative said Thursday.

The government “conveyed by phone to me they will not be able to grant the visa for the reason that it would disturb relations between China and South Africa,” his representative, Nangsa Choedon told AFP, the Guardian reports.

A spokesman for South African Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu said the South African government’s refusal could provoke a boycott of the 14th annual peace summit.

“I have heard that if the Dalai Lama is not allowed into the country, other invited guests have said they will not come,” Roger Friedman said, according to a SuperNewsPlanet video.

The summit is organised by foundations representing four South African peace laureates — Nelson Mandela, Tutu, Albert Luthuli and FW de Klerk.

China says the Dalai Lama is a separatist. Exiled from Tibet since 1959, he wants increased autonomy for the country.

“If the news reports are correct, it is unfortunate that the South African government did not extend the same courtesy to the respected religious leader, the Dalai Lama, as it did to the other Nobel laureates,” said Tashi Phuntsok, spokesman for the Tibetan government-in-exile, according to ABCNews.

A South African court ruled in 2012 that officials acted unlawfully in not granting the Dalai Lama a visa in time for a 2011 trip to celebrate Tutu’s 80th birthday celebration, TheGuardian reports. That refusal was also motivated by fear of angering the Chinese government.

The Dalai Lama was invited to South Africa in 1996 and met Nelson Mandela, but in 2009 he was refused entry to attend a Nobel laureate peace conference. The government said it would detract attention from the 2010 World Cup, according to The Guardian.