Commentary by a Chinese State-run news site warning celebrities not to become involved with members of the Tibetan government-in-exile reflects the idea that all Chinese residents should put national interests ahead of freedom of religious belief, observers said.

The article released on tibet.cn on Friday said renowned singer and actress Faye Wong, mainland actor Hu Jun and Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai attended religious activities in northeastern India, where two major members of the Tibetan government-in-exile were spotted in the same picture with them.

In a post on his Sina Weibo account on Thursday, Hu Jun said he and his family went to India during the Spring Festival holidays to attend some prayer activities. He explained that he was unaware of the presence of the members of the Tibetan government-in-exile mentioned in some reports.

"I did not know anyone from the separatist group … And as a Chinese national, I resolutely oppose any acts or speeches that will split our nation," read Hu's post.

The article on tibet.cn said that even though these celebrities may have had no knowledge of the presence of the Dalai Lama's clique, they should behave themselves and not involve themselves with those who support the cause of "Tibet's independence."

"It would be a pity for some celebrities to lose the reputations they have earned through years of hard work … Some of them will become the victims of their own wrongful deeds if they think they can do whatever they want under the name of freedom," the article on tibet.cn read.

"It is the Dalai Lama and his clique's old trick to use religious events to spread separatism. They may draw celebrities to their side in the name of religious belief to gain influence and seek support," Wang Chunhuan, deputy director of the Theoretical Marxism Institute of the Tibet Autonomous Region Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.

Wang said that celebrities should be aware of the intentions of the Dalai Lama's clique and should put their responsibility to fight separatism ahead of freedom of religious beliefs.

The commentary also said that some Western celebrities have disappointed fans in China when photos of them with the Dalai Lama were exposed.