BEIJING YESTERDAY summoned the US ambassador to complain about Barack Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama, state media reported.
The foreign ministry also demanded that Washington act to improve ties, warning in a statement that the US president’s meeting had “grossly violated norms governing international relations”.
But China did not threaten retaliation of any kind and its response was relatively measured, reflecting the low-key nature of the event and the fact that Mr Obama’s predecessors also met the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.
The move comes amid tensions between the two countries over issues including arms sales to Taiwan, trade, tackling nuclear proliferation and internet censorship. But both Washington and Beijing appear keen to play down the friction.
In a statement published on the foreign ministry and Chinese media websites, spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said Washington should stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and take concrete action – which he did not specify – to “wipe out the baneful impact” and maintain the healthy and steady growth of Sino-US relations.
He added that the US should stop conniving and supporting anti-China separatist forces that seek Tibet independence.
Beijing accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking to split Tibet from China, while he says he seeks only meaningful autonomy for the region.
The state news agency Xinhua reported that Chinese vice-foreign minister Cui Tiankui “lodged solemn representations” with Jon Huntsman, the US ambassador to Beijing.
Mr Obama spent more than an hour with the Dalai Lama. But the meeting was held in the Map Room of the White House rather than the Oval Office and reporters and cameramen were banned. Officials issued a single photo of the two men.
The president voiced support for “Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans in the People’s Republic of China” and encouraged the Dalai Lama to continue seeking dialogue with China.
Tibetan envoys last month held the ninth round of talks with officials in Beijing, but discussions have so far yielded little result.
Following the White House meeting the Dalai Lama said Mr Obama had been “very much supportive” and had shown real concern for Tibet. – (Guardian service)