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Obama bowing towards the Dalai Lama. Photo: AP

Update | Obama triggers Beijing's wrath after tribute to Dalai Lama

US President says Buddhist leader is a 'good friend' as the two appear in public together for the first time at high-profile prayer meeting

China has protested the Dalai Lama’s presence at a public event attended by President Barack Obama, saying the US was exploiting the issue of Tibet for political purposes.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said today that China regards the Tibetan spiritual leader as a political exile working to overthrow Chinese rule over the Himalayan region under the cloak of religion.

Hong said China opposed any country providing him with a platform to further his agenda. He said Tibet was a core national interest over which China would make no compromises.

The Dalai Lama yesterday attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington where he was welcomed by Obama as a “good friend”.

It was the first time the president and the Tibetan Buddhist leader attended the same public event.

Speaking at a high-profile Washington prayer breakfast, Obama heaped praise on his fellow Nobel peace laureate, who is reviled by China as a separatist.

"I want to offer a special welcome to a good friend," Obama said, describing the Dalai Lama as "a powerful example of what it means to practise compassion."

He "inspires us to speak up for the freedom and dignity of all human beings," Obama said before an audience of around 3,000 people.

Watch: President Obama hails Dalai Lama as 'good friend' 

It is the first time the two men have been seen together in a public setting.

Three previous encounters have been held behind closed doors - and outside the White House Oval Office - to avoid risking relations with China.

There had been much speculation about whether a meeting would actually take place, with the White House keen to play down talk of any formal sit-down.

Beijing accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking to split Tibet from the rest of China and has called him a "wolf in sheep's clothing".

It vigorously lobbies against foreign leaders meeting the Dalai Lama "in any form".

But during Thursday's prayer breakfast, Obama and the Dalai Lama saluted each other across a plush ballroom.

Wearing his familiar saffron and maroon robes, the Dalai Lama was not seated at the head table with Obama and other speakers, but was a short distance away from the dais.

The Buddhist leader put his hands together, bowed and made a peace sign with his fingers as he was acknowledged by his hosts.

Obama placed his hands together in response.

Even before the encounter, China had decried US interference in its domestic affairs.

"We hope that the American side will act upon its commitment on Tibet-related issues and properly deal with relevant issues in keeping with the overall interests of bilateral relations," a foreign ministry spokesman in said.

The government-run newspaper said: "Should a president of the United States meet with the Dalai Lama, it will unquestionably step on China's toes and therefore cast a shadow over US-China relations.

"Obama is acquiescing to the Dalai Lama's attempt to split Tibet from China."

Since becoming president, Obama has made a "pivot to Asia" a cornerstone of his foreign policy.

Although Thursday's meeting will certainly draw China's opprobrium, the concrete consequences remain unclear.

The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since 1959 after a failed uprising in Tibet. More than 130 ethnic Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in protest at Beijing's rule.

 

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Obama tribute to Dalai Lama risks Beijing's wrath
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