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China Opposes US Officials Meeting Dalai Lama
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 15, 2009

Filed at 6:11 a.m. ET

BEIJING (AP) -- China criticized a meeting between aides of President Barack 
Obama and the Dalai Lama, saying Tuesday it opposed any such engagements 
with the Tibetan spiritual leader, but stopping short of threatening a 
response.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Beijing firmly opposed any 
foreign officials meeting with the Dalai Lama, whom China claims is intent 
on seizing independence for the Chinese region of Tibet. The Dalai Lama has 
said he only wants genuine autonomy for Tibetans.

Valerie Jarrett, a top adviser to Obama, met Sunday and Monday with the 
Tibetan spiritual leader in Dharmsala, India, ahead of his planned visit to 
the United States early next month. Jarrett, who was accompanied by Maria 
Otero, the U.S. State Department undersecretary for democracy and global 
affairs, was on a private visit, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi said.

The Dalai Lama has previously said he would like to meet Obama when he 
visits Washington in October, as he has every president since George H.W. 
Bush. But on Monday he said he was looking forward to meeting the president 
after Obama visits China, which will be in November.

Asked if Beijing had made any formal representations to Washington regarding 
the Dalai Lama's wish to meet the American leader, Jiang said only that 
''the U.S. side is very clear about China's position.''

''We oppose Dalai's engagement in separatist activities in any country under 
whatever capacity and in whatever name and we oppose other countries' 
officials meeting with Dalai in any form,'' Jiang said at a regular press 
briefing.

China canceled a major summit with the European Union last year because 
French President Nicolas Sarkozy met the spiritual leader.

A White House visit for the Dalai Lama would be seen as a powerful message 
of support to Tibetans struggling for their rights, but it could put 
Washington in an awkward position.

The United States is seeking Chinese cooperation on several fronts, 
including global economic recovery efforts and the nuclear standoffs in 
North Korea and Iran. Its emphasis on economic and diplomatic ties with 
China has prompted criticism that the Obama administration is reluctant to 
confront China on sensitive human rights and trade issues.

China says Tibet has been part of its territory for four centuries. It has 
governed the Himalayan region with an iron first since communist troops took 
control there in 1951. Many Tibetans claim they were effectively independent 
for most of their history and say Chinese rule and economic exploitation are 
eroding their traditional Buddhist culture.

The Dalai Lama fled to India during a 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese 
rule and travels the world promoting the Tibetan cause. He advocates some 
form of autonomy that would allow Tibetans to freely practice their culture, 
language and religion.