The Dalai Lama has held talks with Australia's acting leader, drawing a rebuke from Beijing, which accuses the Tibetan spiritual leader of trying to split Tibet from China, reported CNN.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his No. 2 Julia Gillard were both out of the country on Friday. That left Sen. Chris Evans, the upper house of Parliament leader and acting prime minister, the most senior government official available to meet with the Dalai Lama.
The two held brief talks and a photo opportunity on Friday morning in a hotel near where the Dalai Lama is delivering a series of Buddhist lectures in Sydney.
A statement from Evans' office said the senator had welcomed the Dalai Lama to Australia and the two had open and informative talks.