WASHINGTON, July 8 - The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday it supports aspirations of Tibetans to preserve their culture and will continue to call on China to return to dialogue with the Dalai Lama, after a Tibetan man set himself on fire near the U.N. headquarters last week.

A Tibetan man died on Thursday from severe burns near the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Activists and a media outlet of exiled Tibetans identified him as Lobga Rangzen. Voice of Tibet said he "self-immolated outside the UN headquarters in New York after a live appeal for Tibetan independence and unity."

"The United States is committed to supporting the unalienable human rights and aspirations of Tibetans to celebrate and preserve their unique culture, language, and religion without fear of interference," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement.

"The United States will continue to call on China to return to direct dialogue, without pre-conditions, with the Dalai Lama and his representatives, and with the democratically elected Tibetan leaders, to resolve differences and achieve meaningful autonomy for Tibetans."

Washington has long said it supports Tibetan human rights, across both Republican and Democratic administrations.

CHINA DEFENDS TERRITORIAL CLAIMS

China said after the man's death that Tibet has been an inalienable part of the country's territory since ancient times and Beijing believes "relevant countries will handle the matter in accordance with domestic laws."

Beijing has previously said Washington was in "no position" to point fingers at China on Tibet-related issues.

China, which seeks to consolidate its control over Tibet, regards the Dalai Lama as a separatist and says it must approve his successor, citing a centuries-old ritual.

The Dalai Lama, who is the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhists and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has urged his followers to reject anyone chosen by Beijing.