Robert Wang, deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Beijing, was “urgently summoned” by the Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cui to receive protests from Beijing on Saturday after the interview between Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama at the White House. “China expresses its strong indignation and resolute opposition.
Tibet is an integral part of China and Tibetan issues are purely internal affair, “said Foreign Ministry in a statement on its website.
“Maintaining stable and continuous development of Sino-US relations a lot of work on the part of both parties,” he adds.
Beijing had earlier denounced interference in its internal affairs. “Such action constitutes a gross interference in the internal affairs of China, hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and undermines Sino-US relations,” said Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs.
“We urge the U.S. to seriously consider the position of China, to take immediate steps to clear the unfortunate impact, stop interfering in the internal affairs of China and to stop supporting separatist.” he added.
Interference in internal affairs
In a statement released after the meeting between Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama, the White House says the president encouraged “direct dialogue to resolve old differences and that a dialogue leading to positive results for China and for the Tibetans.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will attend next week with his Chinese counterpart in a regional conference in Indonesia. It is also expected on July 25 in Shenzhen, in southern China, where she will meet Dai, State Councillor for Foreign Affairs.
Hillary Clinton’s upcoming visit to China
“We should tell the U.S. that if the President continues in this way, the Chinese government will consider meeting with members of al-Qaida,” wrote one subscriber site “microblogging” Chinese Weibo, summarizing the outrage many users.
People’s Daily, organ of the Chinese Communist Party, calls for the American leaders to “remove their dark glasses” and to stop deliberately ignoring the tremendous progress made under the auspices of Beijing.
“The statements of some U.S. politicians show ignorance, hypocrisy and the deep hostility of some development and progress in China,” wrote the columnist.
Barack Obama had received the Dalai Lama at the White House in February 2010, which had also resulted in a sharp reaction from China.