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Obama meets Dalai Lama in spite of China protest

16 June 2016 03:24 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. U.S. President Barack Obama met the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, at the White House on Wednesday despite a warning by China that it would damage diplomatic relations, APA reports quoting Reuters.

The meeting came at a time of heightened tensions between the United States and China over Beijingâ€™s assertive pursuit of territorial claims in East Asia.

Obama's fourth White House meeting with the Dalai Lama in the past eight years took place in the residence of the executive mansion, instead of the Oval Office where the president normally meets world leaders.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the choice of the residence emphasized the "personal nature of their meeting."

Obama urged "meaningful and direct dialogue" between the Dalai Lama and his representatives with Chinese authorities to lower tensions and resolve differences, the White House said in a release.

China considers the Dalai Lama a dangerous separatist, and Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the meeting would encourage "separatist forces." He urged Washington to abide by its promises to recognize that Tibet is part of China and cease any support for Tibet independence.

Obama told the spiritual leader he does not support Tibetan independence, the White House said.

The president thanked the Dalai Lama for his condolences for the victims of Sunday's mass shooting at a gay club in Orlando, Florida, Earnest said.