Obama to Host Dalai Lama at White House
U.S. President Barack Obama hosts exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the
Dalai Lama Friday at the White House, prompting China to issue a
statement of "serious concern."
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 regularly threatens nations hosting the Dalai Lama. It views him as a dangerous separatist responsible for a wave of self-immolations by Tibetans.
Tashi Phuntsok of the Central Tibetan Administration told VOA the responsibility for unrest in Tibet lies completely with Chinese authorities.
"Why are Tibetans protesting or self-immolating? It's very simple. Tibetans in Tibet after nearly 60 years under China do not feel free and therefore they are against the repression. And the world sees (this) very clearly."
Phuntsok says the meeting is "good for Tibet" and represents a "strong endorsement" of the policies of the Dalai Lama, who officially retired from his political role three years ago.
China issued similar threats against the U.S. following meetings between Mr. Obama and the Dalai Lama in 2010 and 2011.
The visits did not significantly impact U.S.-China relations then. And analysts such as John Powers, an Asian studies professor at the Australian National University, say it is unlikely to do so now.
"China goes through the same sort of routine about protesting regularly and interference in China's internal affairs and things keep going the same way. Nothing ever really happens."
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 regularly threatens nations hosting the Dalai Lama. It views him as a dangerous separatist responsible for a wave of self-immolations by Tibetans.
Tashi Phuntsok of the Central Tibetan Administration told VOA the responsibility for unrest in Tibet lies completely with Chinese authorities.
"Why are Tibetans protesting or self-immolating? It's very simple. Tibetans in Tibet after nearly 60 years under China do not feel free and therefore they are against the repression. And the world sees (this) very clearly."
Phuntsok says the meeting is "good for Tibet" and represents a "strong endorsement" of the policies of the Dalai Lama, who officially retired from his political role three years ago.
China issued similar threats against the U.S. following meetings between Mr. Obama and the Dalai Lama in 2010 and 2011.
The visits did not significantly impact U.S.-China relations then. And analysts such as John Powers, an Asian studies professor at the Australian National University, say it is unlikely to do so now.
"China goes through the same sort of routine about protesting regularly and interference in China's internal affairs and things keep going the same way. Nothing ever really happens."
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário