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China summons US ambassador over Obama-Dalai Lama meeting

By Jane Macartney | Times Online

The Dalai Lama throws some snow as he walks out of the White House on 18 February 2010 in Washington, DC. The Dalai Lama spoke to reporters briefly after meeting with US President Barack Obama. China has summoned the US ambassador over President Barack Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama and accused it of grossly interfering in internal affairs.File photo/Getty Images/Mark Wilson/US

China issued a protest against President Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama this morning, demanding that Washington take steps to improve ties strained by the encounter.

Beijing’s response has been widely anticipated as a signal of whether its anger at Washington’s show of respect to a man China accuses of fomenting unrest in Tibet will further damage already strained relations.

The language used by Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu was restrained, stopping short of warning of further harm to relations and reflecting Beijing’s desire to limit the impact while such serious issues as US arms sales to Taiwan remain on the table.

Mr Ma said that China expressed “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition” to the meeting. He said: “The Chinese side demands that the US side seriously consider China’s stance, immediately adopt measures to wipe out the baneful impact and stop conniving and supporting anti-China separatist forces that seek Tibet independence.”

To underscore Beijing’s displeasure the Deputy Foreign Minister, Cui Tiankai, summoned Jon Huntsman, the US Ambassador to China, and “lodged solemn representations”.

However, China avoided reference to earlier statements in which it said that such a meeting would damage relations. Its response will have been decided to some extent by President Obama’s low-key welcome to the Tibetan god-king, who has lived in exile in India since an abortive uprising against Beijing in 1951 and who campaigns for greater autonomy for his people.

China has branded the Nobel Peace prizewinner as a “splittist” seeking to remove Tibet from Chinese rule, and objects strongly to contacts between him and international leaders.

Obama told the Dalai Lama that he backed the preservation of Tibet’s culture and supported human rights for its people. He also encouraged talks between the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Government.

However, in consideration of China’s objections the meeting took place in the White House’s Map Room, a venue for private talks, and Obama made no public comments or allowed any welcome fanfare. A single photo was issued of the two leaders sitting down over tea.

At the Dalai Lama’s last reception by a US president in 2007 George W Bush presented him with the Congressional Medal of Honour. Such meetings have become standard since 1991, but the choreography is always delicate and carefully planned because of China’s sensitivities.

After the meeting the Dalai Lama chided Beijing for taking a “childish” and “limited” approach to Tibet’s quest for autonomy. His envoy, Lodi Gyari, who heads sporadic talks with Beijing, said that the session would offer encouragement to Tibetans who feel marginalised in China.

Copyright © 2010 Times Newspapers Ltd.

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