11. Nov 2009
China opposed to foreign leaders' contact with Dalai Lama
(Xinhua) Beijing said it firmly opposes foreign leaders' contact with the Dalai Lama after a White House official said that President Barack Obama would be ready to meet the Tibetan leader "at the appropriate time". "China firmly opposes foreign leaders' and officials' contact with the Dalai Lama. Our position on this issue is consistent and clear", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in response to a question about the White House official's remarks. The US official made the statement at a news briefing immediately before President Obama's first state visit to China.