President Bush’s private meeting with the Dalai Lama on Tuesday, the day before the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader was slated to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, didn’t please Chinese officials, to say the least. They’re not really thrilled about the U.S. honoring the Dalai Lama for his role in the ongoing struggle to free Tibet from Chinese rule, either.

AP via My Way News:

“We solemnly demand that the U.S. cancel the extremely wrong arrangements,” said Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi. “It seriously violates the norm of international relations and seriously wounded the feelings of the Chinese people and interfered with China’s internal affairs.”

Presidential spokesman Tony Fratto said: “We understand the concerns of the Chinese.” But he also said Bush always has attended congressional award presentation ceremonies, has met with the Dalai Lama several times before and had no reason not to meet with him again.

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