The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, visited with President Obama Thursday, in a low key meeting at the White House. This was the first meeting between the two Nobel Peace Prize winners.
The Dalai Lama is considered a separatist by the Chinese government and has been in exile since 1959.
The U.S. does recognize Tibet as part of China, but the issue remains a tense one. In recent months, America's relationship with China has been tested by issues of Internet censorship, trade disputes and disagreements over how to respond to Iran's nuclear program.
After a 3 minute video recapping the visit, Jeffrey Brown speaks with Susan Shirk, director of the University of California's Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation and author Gordon Chang.
Quotes
"I always admire America, not economy or military power, but mainly as a champion of democracy, freedom, human value, of human creativity." Dalai Lama, exiled Tibetan spiritual leader
"In China, tough words are sometimes a substitute for tough actions." Susan Shirk, director, University of California's Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation
"Over the last two or three months, it's difficult to make the case that U.S. policy has been effective in moving the Chinese in better directions." Gordon Chang, author/columnist
Warm Up Questions
1. List some basic human rights.
2. Who is the Dalai Lama? What does he represent?
Discussion Questions
1. Do you think President Obama should meet with the Dalai Lama? Why or why not?
2. What do you think they talked about?
3. Why do China and the United States have such a complex relationship?
4. How will the relationship between China and the United States change in the next 10 years?
Additional Resources
