Obama's three vain hopes about his meeting with the Dalai Lama

US President Obama and the Dalai Lama held a private meeting in the White House in Washington on February 21, 2014. This is the third time the two men have met. The US claims that these meetings show its concern for Tibetan human rights and respect for the religion and culture of Tibet, but the truth is quite different. The Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-China separatist activities. His trips to the US are aimed either at seeking support for Tibetan independence or damaging Sino-US ties. The US tactic of playing the "Dalai card"to hamper China's development is a vain one. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency backed the Tibetan uprising in the 1950s. Some U.S. politicians are still keen to meet with the Dalai Lama and fund forces advocating the "independence of Tibet", with the aim of damaging China's development and stability. Tibet has long been freed from the slavery of the Dalai Lama and serfdom, with rapid economic development and rising living standards. All the peoples of China enjoy substantial human rights and freedoms in comparison with the past, and religious freedom and traditional culture are also well-protectedd and passed on. The future of Tibet will not be changed by the forces advocating the "independence of Tibet". Those who play the Dalai card will lose the game. The US underestimates China's resolve to safeguard its core interests. The US has turned a deaf ear to China's indignation. It has also tried to justify the "private meeting". It must realize that mutual respect is a fundamental principle of Sino-US cooperation and one of the cornerstones of mutual strategic trust. The damage to China's interests and the hurt to Chinese people's feelings caused by the US not only incurs China's indignation but could also have broad-ranging unforeseen consequences. US politicians hope to polish their political image via meetings with the Dalai Lama. The US often defends itself by saying US president, burdened by the pressure of domestic politics and public opinion, is under an obligation to meet with the Dalai Lama. But it is obvious that ordinary American people are more concerned with things that relate to their daily lives such as the economy, employment, standards of living and education. Since China is the second largest trade partner of the US, there is an essential level of communication and coordination on a series of major local and global issues. Any tension between China and the US is bound to do harm to U.S. interests. The meeting between Obama and the Dalai Lama has nothing to do with ordinary American people; its only consequence will be to damage their interests.