The Dalai Lama arrived in Portugal early today for a five-day visit, despite a row sparked by Chinese protests against Portugal's acceptance of the Tibetan spiritual leader.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate arrived in the northern city of Oporto, where he will receive an honorary doctorate from the city's Lusiadas University and receive the keys to the city from Mayor Nuno Cardoso.
China formally protested against the visit, even though it was private and made upon the invitation of various religious and non-governmental organizations.
The Dalai Lama's visit will not include meetings with representatives of the government, parliament or with President Jorge Sampaio, Portuguese officials said, in an attempt to assure Beijing the visit was not official.
The Dalai Lama, 66, is also to visit the central city of Coimbra, the Fatima sanctuary and Lisbon in the next five days. He is also to give talks at several conferences and universities during his first visit to Portugal.
The Buddhist leader fled to India after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.
AFP