SHANGHAI
China has reacted strongly to a visit to the White House by Tibetan Spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, saying that the trip had seriously impaired Washington-Beijing relations.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Qin Gang said in a statement late Friday that Tibet is an integral part of China, the Tibet issue is entirely an internal matter, and no other country has any right to interfere in it.
President Barack Obama welcomed the Dalai Lama on a trip to the White House earlier Friday, during which both leaders called for renewed dialogue between the Chinese government and Tibetans, while the Dalai Lama stated that "he is not seeking independence for Tibet."
A White House statement released after the meeting said: "The President reiterated his strong support for the preservation of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural, and linguistic traditions and the protection of human rights for Tibetans in the People’s Republic of China."
China spokesperson Gang called the Dalai Lama a political exile involved in separatist activities under a religious banner, and said that President Barack Obama's meeting with the Tibetan Spiritual leader was gross interference in China’s internal affairs.
“Obama-the Dalai Lama meeting has seriously impaired Washington-Beijing relations and we are absolutely against such a meeting,” Gang said.
China called on the U.S. to pay attention to its concerns and avoid any actions that could harm bilateral relations.
The Dalai Lama led Tibet until 1950, when China entered the country.
In 1959, following a Tibetan uprising against the Chinese, the Dalai Lama fled to India, where he has lived in self-imposed exile ever since.
For centuries the leader of Tibet - an extremely spiritual country - has been known as the Dalai Lama.
According to China, the Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-Chinese separatist activities under the cloak of religion.
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