China Calls On Obama To Cancel Dalai Lama Meeting

BEIJING — China has called on the U.S. to withdraw an invitation for the Dalai Lama to meet with President Barack Obama at the White House, saying it could hurt relations between the two countries.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement Saturday that China opposes any foreign official meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader and asked the U.S. to withdraw its invitation to avoid interfering in China's internal affairs.

Obama's planned meeting Saturday coincides with the Dalai Lama's visit to Washington for an 11-day Buddhist ritual expected to draw upward of 10,000 followers a day.

Obama last met with the Dalai Lama in February 2010, infuriating Chinese officials, who accuse the Nobel Peace Prize laureate of seeking Tibet's independence from China.

Comments

[Julio Melendez Sr]

12:31 AM on 07/18/2011

That's what we get when we borrow money from the Chinese they think they own you...and they can tell you who or not to see....

[YOKEL13]

06:39 PM on 07/17/2011

Too late! Already happened!

[laowaiblog]

12:21 AM on 07/17/2011

China is concerned that if Tibet seeks its independence so will many other areas in China such as Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Yunnan, etc. Therefore, it is applying pressure in diplomatic ways to stop leaders from meeting with the Dalai Lama.

The U.S, on the other hand, believes that the right to express opinion and the right to practice religious beliefs should be available to every human being, and it does not necessarily see the meeting with the Dalai Lama as an attempt to undermine China's authority in the region.

It would be wise if both parties made an effort to understand each other. The world needs a stronger relationship between China and the U.S

http://laowaiblog.com

[Marjorie Sager]

08:58 PM on 07/16/2011

China has nothing to worry about ,Obama and his frends will not fight to free Tibet its just a bumper sticker.

[npw350]

08:15 PM on 07/16/2011

They're so dopey the Chinese. I wonder if they ever consider the repercussions throughout the world if a President of the USA were to bow to one of their silly little declarations. I only wish the Pres had entertained the DL in the Oval Office, but the map room was a good compromise.
It's evident what bullies the Chinese will be one day if we don't maintain our power and encourage the growth of countries like India to off balance them.

[Pinkor]

10:07 PM on 07/16/2011

You have absolutely no knowledge of Asian History or politics. Tibet desperately needs China to protect it from invasion from India. China protected Tibet in the 1950s when Indian invaded and eliminated Skim form existance. The former independant Sikim is not a part of India. The Dalai Lama is a fraud he is not a "spirtual leader." He is a political leader and he wants to rule Tibet again

China is not a silly little nation. They financed our two wars and most of american debt is owed to the chinese. We should not encourage countries like Indian to grow which pursecute their people with them caste system. You are so comfortable with India's growth but not China,.

Most americans love the one asian country they have defeated... Japan. Why don't you comment on something at your intelligence and ability level. Look at Jlo and her husband splitting up.

[npw350]

01:53 AM on 07/17/2011

And unfortunately, the only history your appear to know is an outrageous fabrication of the communist government. You are brainwashed obviously. The rest of the world knows the truth about the Chinese government and Tibet. I feel badly for you Chinese. All those years of terrible lies.

[wereeverywhere]

02:33 AM on 07/17/2011

What a weird mix of condescension and ignorance. It's China that invaded Tibet. The ones threatening Tibetans everyday is the Chinese government.

[exhyni]

08:14 PM on 07/16/2011

China wants it so we must bend over?

The meeting could hurt the relations between the 2 countries and you threatening us a few weeks back wouldn't?

[RPDash]

07:51 PM on 07/16/2011

President Obama should tell the Chinese Government that he'll be glad to cancel the Dalai Lama meeting if they cancel the trillions in debt we owe them, fair and square.

[pphhrogg]

06:55 PM on 07/16/2011

Sorry China, but you don't run the USA.....yet. I'm proud of Obama for NOT canceling his meeting with the Dalai Lama.

[Fred in China]

05:26 PM on 07/16/2011

I live out there and I wanna tell you: BE NOT AFRAID! It's a paper dragon.

The CCP has huge internal problems to deal with - mainly maintaining the faith of the Chinese people in its rule. This will increasingly depend on stoking nationalist fires because of a coming economic slowdown, an environmental crisis and the growing demands of a new middle class. The process of "orchestrated nationalism" coming from Beijing has already accelerated greatly in the last 2 years - you can see it on the ground and you can read about it (check out CFR). You think Beijing was talking to Obama about the meeting with the Dalai Lama? Actually this is about winning the hearts of the Chinese people and managing where they focus their anger. It's not unlike the way we Americans are reading this story while Obama has yet to close Guantanamo (to cite one American injustice) and thus do not discuss Guantanamo.

One day - perhaps within 10 years - the "threat" of the PRC will suddenly seem to grow smaller due to its internal problems mentioned above. But that will only be true if we, the USA, seriously start fixing OUR country's economy, OUR human rights record, OUR income gap, etc... revitalization America will certainly be the best China policy.

[LMPE]

05:11 PM on 07/16/2011

Yeah, yeah, this happens every time. China and the US like to shout at each other. I kinda get the giggles when creepy governments anger each other.

[elfish]

04:54 PM on 07/16/2011

If the Republicans are unhappy with Obama

and

China is unhappy with Obama.

He must be doing something right.

[Margo Arrowsmith]

04:54 PM on 07/16/2011

1.  Ya, harboring all those schools that teach about destroying the US is very pro US

2.  The reason that gas is so expensive is that the Saudis and everyone else sell their oil to speculators who don't give a damn about anybody.

[Margo Arrowsmith]

04:56 PM on 07/16/2011

Put in the wrong place.  This was supposed to be a response to Saudi Citizzen

[rivrgrrl]

04:59 PM on 07/16/2011

We knew that.

;)

It's not like this is Redstate, where everything has to be drawn out in crayon for the posters.

[rich3324]

04:44 PM on 07/16/2011

Nice to see China working itself into the world bully role.

[Dragontech]

04:43 PM on 07/16/2011

China can go F_C_ themselves. We will invite anyone we want to.

[undsoweiter]

04:38 PM on 07/16/2011

It's merely a formality, it is expected.
China must condemn our actions as we must deplore theirs.
It's all part of the dance.
Happy Family.