China's foreign ministry fervently condemned a recent engagement that took place between a senior U.S. official and the Dalai Lama. According to the Chinese government, the meeting amounts to the United States' support of the independence of Tibet.
The engagement took place during the celebration of the Dalai Lama's 80th birthday in New York City on Friday, July 10. Senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi meditated with him as a way of celebrating.
According to an interview with Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying on Monday, China is strongly dissatisfied and against the engagement.
"We urge the U.S. side to honor its commitment of recognizing Tibet Autonomous Region as part of China . . . make tangible efforts to correct its mistakes and eradicate adverse effects, and stop providing any convenience and support to the 'Tibet Independence' forces lest China-U.S. relations be disrupted and jeopardized," said Hua.
The spokesperson's statement strongly reflects China's more resolute stance in the matter of upholding the nation's sovereignty, according to political analysts.
One anonymous, Tibet-based expert, in an interview with the Global Times, said: "Tibet has always been a leverage point for the U.S. to interfere with China's internal issues. This latest incident has once again caused concern at this delicate time when the Sino-U.S. relations are already strained by other issues."
"But the foreign ministry's response has proven that China has become more clear and resolute in expressing its stance, and has become more aware of protecting its national sovereignty."
It seems that China is not the only party opposed to the Dalai Lama's U.S. visit. Shugden Buddhists opposed the Dalai Lama's trip, according to a New York Post report.