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Dalai
Lama Award Angers China, Strains U.S.-Sino Relations |
Posted:
10.17.07
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In a move that has upset China, the United States has awarded
the Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the U.S. Congressional
Gold Medal.
Printer-friendly versions: PDF
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The Dalai Lama is in Washington,
D.C., Oct. 17 to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest
award given to civilians.
The Buddhist leader, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, met
with President Bush privately a day earlier, but the White House
did not make photographs of the event available to the press in
an attempt to appease China.
 The
Chinese government opposes any positive attention for the Dalai
Lama because they view him as a dangerous political leader agitating
for Tibetan independence from China.
The White House tried to make clear that the invitation was not
an attempt to provoke China.
"We in no way want to stir the pot and make China feel that
we are poking a stick in their eye for a country we have a lot
of relationships with on a variety of issues," White House
press secretary Dana Perino said.
Although this is his 12th visit to the White House and his fourth
encounter with President Bush, Wednesday's award ceremony marks
the first time that a U.S. president has appeared in public with
the Tibetan leader.
 The
world is waiting "to see how China's concepts of harmonious
society and peaceful rights" unfold, the Dalai Lama said
after becoming the 146th recipient of the Congressional award.
"America cannot look to the plight of the religiously oppressed
and close their eyes or turn away," said Mr. Bush, who sat
next to the Tibetan monk during the ceremony and personally handed
the medal to him.
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The Dalai
Lama's popularity |
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The Dalai Lama has become
immensely popular in recent years, publishing a steady stream of
books, including the best-selling "The Art of Happiness"
and filling football stadiums during his U.S. appearances.
His message of peace and tolerance, combined with personal charisma
and spirituality has made him popular with musicians, artists
and Hollywood celebrities.
With his red and yellow robes, shaved head and twinkling eyes,
his picture has become an icon similar to that of Cuban revolutionary
Che Guevara or scientist Albert Einstein -popping up on everything
from t-shirts to notebooks to boxer shorts.
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China's fears |
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An editorial in the government-run China Daily newspaper explained
China's position: "Using religion as a guise, the Dalai Lama
has been engaged in secessionist activities for many years in
his vicious attempt to split Tibet from the motherland and instigate
political unrest in the autonomous region."
Chinese officials fear indep endence
for Tibet would inspire other parts of China to call for independence
too.
After unsuccessfully asking the U.S. government to cancel the
award ceremony and meeting with President Bush, Chinese foreign
minister, Yang Jiechi, warned it would damage relations.
On Tuesday, China pulled out of an international strategy session
on Iran in protest of the award.
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The Tibet
question |
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Tibet is located in the Himalayas in Central Asia.
Control of the region has been disputed since China's People's
Liberation Army invaded in 1950. A peace agreement was reached
in 1951 granting China rule of the area.
 Between
the 17th century and 1959, Tibet was led by different men believed
to be the Dalai Lama, a series of reincarnated leaders with the
soul of a bodhisattva, or enlightened being.
The current and 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, fled into exile
in 1959 to India with other government officials after a Tibetan
uprising was crushed by the Chinese. He now leads what is called
the Tibetan Government in Exile from Dharamsala, India.
The Tibetan Government in Exile considers the region to be autonomous
and considers the Chinese to be illegitimate military occupiers.
Tibetan officials who work for the Dalai Lama in exile believe
his controversial visit to the United States is a positive step
for the Tibetan cause.
"I have no doubt this will give tremendous encouragement
and hope to the Tibetan people," the Dalai Lama's special
envoy Lodi Gyari told reporters.
--
Compiled by Annie Schleicher for NewsHour Extra
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American schools and financial aid should be only for legal citizens of the United States. There should be no exceptions to this.
