China on Friday criticized US President Barack Obama for meeting the Dalai Lama, accusing the US leader of "interfering in China's internal affairs, dpa reported
"China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a statement on Obama's meeting with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.
Ma said the United States had "grossly violated the norms governing the international relations" and was "supporting anti-China separatist forces that seek 'Tibet independence'."
"The US should stop interfering in China's internal affairs and make concrete actions to maintain the healthy and steady growth of China-US relations," he said.
The statement appeared relatively muted, repeating China's usual position on meetings between foreign leaders and the Dalai Lama.
In the meeting on Thursday, Obama offered support to the Dalai Lama, praising his "commitment to non-violence and his pursuit of dialogue with the Chinese government," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
Obama called for protecting the rights of Tibetans in China and supported the Dalai Lama's ongoing talks with Chinese officials. He encouraged both sides to maintain dialogue to "resolve their differences," Gibbs said in a statement.
Obama and the Dalai Lama did not appear together before cameras, unlike former president George W Bush, who met publicly with the Tibetan leader.
The meeting came as US-China ties have soured in recent weeks amid spats over US arms sales to Taiwan, trade disputes, currency issues and accusations by internet giant Google Inc of Chinese cyber- spying.
Obama had postponed a meeting with the Dalai Lama ahead of his November visit to China. But the administration rebuffed calls by China to cancel the encounter a second time.
The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since he fled Tibet after Chinese occupation in 1959. He heads a Tibetan government-in-exile that is not recognized by any country.
China slams Obama's talks with Dalai Lama
