Despite opposition from China, United States President Barak Obama has privately met Dalai Lama. In fact, China has condemned any meeting between the foreign leaders and the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, whom the Communist nation considers to be a separatist.
During their recent private meeting in Washington, Obama has told the Dalai Lama that he should speak to the Chinese authorities; BBC reported quoting the White House. According to reports, the two leaders, who have met a number of times earlier, held behind-the-doors discussions in the White House Map Room.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said President Obama conveyed to the Dalai Lama that he encourages dialogue between the Lama and China. Earnest added that according to the United State's policy, Tibet is a part of the People's Republic of China and the United States has never expressed its support for Tibetan independence.
Josh Earnest further said that both President Obama as well as the Dalai Lama accords importance to a "constructive and productive relation between the United States and China. President Obama thanked the Dalai Lama for the latter's condolences for the victims of the mass shooting at the gay night club in Orlando, Florida, on Sunday night, Reuters reported quoting Earnest.
Earnest further said that in the past too, President Obama had articulated his "warm personal feelings" for the Dalai Lama as well as appreciated his teachings and belief in preserving Tibet's distinctive religious, cultural and linguistic traditions. He added, "All of those were policy positions of the United States before the meeting occurred. Our policy hasn't changed after the meeting.''
Meanwhile, denouncing the private meeting between President Obama and the Dalai Lama on Wednesday, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang categorically stated that the meeting will send a wrong signal to the separatist forces and the Tibet independence. Kang added that any such meetings will harm the mutual trust and cooperation between the United States and China.
Stating that the Dalai Lama is a dangerous separatist, Kang urged Washington to conform to its promises to recognize that Tibet is part of China and stop any support for Tibet independence. Meanwhile, an article in Xinhua, China's official news agency alleged that Washington was breaking its promise not to support Tibet's independence by hosting the meeting with the Dalai Lama.
The commentary stated that the meeting had "seriously jeopardized China-U.S. relations, and deeply hurt the Chinese people's feelings." According to the news agency, supporting the independence of Tibet is a clear interference in China's internal affairs, which tantamount to violation of the rules that govern international relations.
Watch President Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama in the White House on Feb. 18, 2010.