The Chinese sent Mr. Obama a fortune cookie with a warning. Actually, forget the fortune cookie, but our dear red friends did offer up this warning to President Obama: don't meet with the Dalai Lama; you will harm bilateral ties; your lucky numbers are 7 9 27 2. Obama met with Chinese leaders last year and said he'd meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader, and he's not backing down from his statement. The Dalai Lama, however, is pretty booked. He has arrangements and engagements to speak in the United States in late February and in May, though. Maybe they could have a Valentine's brunch.
A Communist party official who is in charge of talks of with representatives, Zhu Weiqun, said that they will take necessary actions to ensure that "relevant countries see their mistakes." Sounds definitively more ominous than any fortune cookie.
The U.S. has human rights concerns over the treatment of Tibetans, but Zhu indicated that even should such a meeting occur, there will be no compromise on China's control of Tibet. Obama hopes America's relationship with China is mature enough to address mutual concerns, while allowing him to speak to important leaders. The Dalai Lama is a spiritual and cultural leader who garners international respect. Obama plans to address as a leader of such stature.
In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled China after attempting an uprising against the Chinese rule. He lives in exile in Dharamsala. It won't be the best place for a quick game of basketball, especially if Obama's kicks are made in China.
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