Dalai Lama's White House Visit Invokes the Ire of Chinese Government

Friday, February 19, 2010

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Fifty years ago, the Dalai Lama left Tibet fleeing Chinese rule. (Flickr user FerneMillen (cc: by-nc-sa))

“ Certainly for the Chinese administration, the way they should read this is: yes, the Dalai Lama matters to us, but look, we're not suggesting he's the leader of Tibet, because if he was the leader of Tibet we would bring him into the Oval Office not the Map Room. So we bring him into the Map Room because we're trying to say, yes he matters, but maybe you shouldn't worry too much.
— David Banks

President Barack Obama complicated U.S./China relations by hosting the Dalai Lama at the White House yesterday. The meeting was not a state visit and the fact that it took place in the Map Room rather than the Oval Office means that the conversation was more symbolic than official. However, the White House drew strong criticism from China just for hosting the Dalai Lama.

David Banks, a doctoral researcher in “ritual and symbolic diplomacy," explains the symbolism behind the meeting and how it translates throughout the international community.

Guests:

David Banks

Hosted by:

Todd Zwillich

Comments [2]

Beet

http://tibetanaltar.blogspot.com/2010/02/no-accident.html

Feb. 21 2010 06:03 AM

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George Ma from Massachusetts

This president has lost one vote from a Chinese American for his next election. I hope many more Chinese Ameican voters would follow.

Feb. 19 2010 09:54 PM

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