Dalai Lama Meeting with Barack Obama! China Fumes

The White House confirmed today that Barack Obama will meet the Dalai Lama in Washington, D.C. this month. 

Dalai Lama has the last word, and Obama's ear!

As ususal Beijing had put pressure on the USA not to meet with the Dalai Lama, probably thinking that this administration would bend to Chinese pressure. But the Chinese government seems to not realize that the people of the United States have strong affections for the leader of Tibet and the Tibetan people. It is not lost on the American people that China invaded and occupied Tibet without provocation, has claimed that Tibet was never an independent nation, and that Tibet was always "China". History of course, see's through this and scholars throughout the world recognize China's attempts to rewrite history.

 China has long feared the power of the Dalai Lama, because millions of people within the borders of China respect and revere HH (His Holiness), as the Tibetan's call him. He is one of the few men in the world, considered a "Global Class" religious leader and has become an icon, representing peace and enlightenment. The White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, did not set a date, but the Dalai Lama's secretary has said he will be in Washington on 17 and 18 February.

The visit comes on top of a series of rows over the last few weeks in which relations between the US and China have taken a turn for the worse. Obama was stung by China's snubs at the Copenhagen conference and China apparently thought Obama to be afraid and weak. He has made it clear, that he is neither weak or afraid when it comes to China.

Obama told US legislators on Wednesday that he will take a tougher line towards China over its huge US trade surplus.

Other grievances include US plans to sell arms to Taiwan, (again nothing new, the USA has historically sold arms to Taiwan), the row with the leading search engine Google over alleged cyber attacks (China created this battle and lost it in the world business stage), and US disappointment at China's failure to support it over climate change at Copenhagen and on sanctions against Iran.

The Obama administration had always planned the Dalai Lama meeting and the arms sales to Taiwan, but had simply deferred them, thinking it could establish a rapport with Beijing. Beijing took this as weakness and became over zealous in pressing Obama. Beijing's approach did not work. The Dalai Lama may have far more power in Washington, than the Chinese.

We are always amazed at the simple wisdom of the Dalia Lama and at the abject fear and ignorence of Chinese leaders when trying to figure out how to deal with this simple Tibetan monk.  Most observers point out that there are millions of Chinese people who worship and adore the Dalai Lama even after 50 years of Chinese propaganda.  The Dalai Lama exemplifies wisdom, hoiliness, a gentle spirit of curiosity, integrity, and spirituality. These are qualities that Chinese leaders lack. But they are also qualities that Chinese and Tibetan people yearn for.