President Obama meets with Dalai Lama, despite warning from China

WASHINGTON, June 15 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama held a private meeting at the White House Wednesday with the Dalai Lama, a move that angered Chinese officials who contend the Tibetan spiritual leader is leading a separatist movement.

Neither the White House nor the Dalai Lama discussed details of the meeting, although the White House did disclose the President encouraged a dialogue with the Chinese. The Dalai Lama also expressed his condolences for Sunday's attack in Orlando after the meeting.

Like the previous three meetings Obama has held with the Dalai Lama, the Chinese government voiced its dismay.

"If the United States plans this meeting, it will send the wrong signal to Tibet independence and separatist forces and harm China-U.S. mutual trust and cooperation," said Lu Kang, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest dismissed the idea, saying, "the United States has not articulated our support for Tibetan independence."

Earnest added: "Both the Dalai Lama and President Obama value the importance of a constructive and productive relationship between the United States and China.