U.S. President Barack Obama will meet the Dalai Lama Friday at the White House, prompting a statement of “serious concern” from China.
The White House said late Thursday that Mr. Obama is meeting the Dalai Lama “in his capacity as a respected religious and cultural leader.”
A statement said the U.S. supports the Dalai Lama’s so-called “middle way” approach of neither assimilation nor independence for Tibetans in China.
China’s foreign ministry quickly urged the U.S. to cancel the meeting, calling it a “gross interference” that will “seriously damage” U.S.-China ties.
Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a dangerous “splittist” who has encouraged a wave of self-immolations by Tibetans. He denies the charge.
The U.S. recognizes Tibet to be a part of China. While Washington does not back Tibetan independence, it is concerned over what it says is the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibetan areas of China.
The White House calls on China to reopen talks with the Dalai Lama or his representatives with no preconditions.
