(Thumbnail image: The Dalai Lama)
China is threatening serious action after President Obama ignored its warnings against meeting with the Dalai Lama.
Supporters applaud Mr. Obama for going through with the meeting. But critics say he could be putting the US in a vulnerable spot.
We’re looking at perspectives from CNN, FOX News, Russia Today, and the BBC.
Both countries have been outspoken about their opposing positions. BBC News highlights each country’s reasoning.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs called the Dalai Lama "an internationally respected religious leader".
He went on to say, "He's a spokesman for Tibetan rights. The president looks forward to an engaging and constructive meeting,"
A Chinese spokesman reacted saying:
"We urge the US side to fully understand the high sensitivity of Tibet-related issues, and honor its commitment to recognize Tibet as part of China and to oppose 'Tibet independence',"
The Obama administration has tried to steer clear of the Tibet-China tug-of-war. But a CNN reporter says the upcoming meeting is bound to stir up more conflict.
“You could call it: Guess Who’s coming to visit the White House. And that is the spiritual leader from Tibet, the Dalai Lama. But the reaction in Beijing is anything but serene. Chinese officials already were fuming warning there would be consequences if President Obama met with the Dalai Lama. In their eyes, a dangerous separatist. The White House announcement that the meeting will take place this month throws fuel on the fire.”
FOX News says the US should not take China’s threats seriously and criticizes President Obama’s past reactions.
O’REILLY: “The audacity, to use President Obama’s word, of telling a sitting American President who he can talk to and who he can’t talk to… I mean that is really, really pushing it. Is it not?”
KRAUTHAMMER: “It is but what is worse is our reaction. The Chinese are giving orders all the time, but American Presidents ignore them or walk away. The Chinese warned us about the Dalai Lama and the President did meet before his visit to China. He will now, but he desponded. But that’s a concession that he didn’t have to make.”
RussiaToday shares a similar perspective downplaying the hype surrounding the meeting.
“The Chinese are going to try to see if they can get this president to stop seeing the Dalai Lama as all previous US presidents have done. The answer is they’re going to fail and they’re going to understand that they overreached. And then they are going to recalibrate and they’re going to step back. And I think they will be reassured by the fact that President Obama, when he meets with the Dalai Lama, in fact, doesn’t do it in a very public way and doesn’t try to rub it in China’s face.”
Do you think China’s threats should be taken seriously? Is the US headed for trouble?
Writer: Chelsea Donohoe
Producer: Grace Meiners
