Why Is U.S. Going Public with Support for Dalai Lama?

It's been pretty hard to miss the fact that the Dalai Lama has gotten a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow. And if you've heard about the award, then you've probably also heard about how upset the Chinese are about it. (China views Tibet as part of its territory and sees the Dalai Lama as a threat to its sovereignty.)

In the past, U.S. presidents have always kept meetings with the Dalai Lama low-key for fear of offending the Chinese, so it begs the question: Why go public now?

The president was asked at a news conference today why he was going to the ceremony honoring the Dalai Lama, considering China's outrage. Bush cited the struggle for religious freedom around the world — an issue that has been a touchstone for his administration.

I have consistently told the Chinese that religious freedom is in their nation's interest. I've also told them that I think it's in their interest to meet with the Dalai Lama, and will say so at the ceremony today in Congress. ... Matter of fact, I don't think it ever damages relations when the American president talks about religious tolerance.

However, the White House has made concessions to China's feelings on the matter. Officials denied the media any access to Bush's private meeting with the Dalai Lama on Tuesday.

And experts say that his visit is not likely to have a long-term effect on Chinese-U.S. relations. "It seems more likely to me that (China is) going through the motions of protest more for their own domestic audience than for any outside audience," said Daniel Sneider, an Asia Pacific specialist at Stanford University.

4:25 PM ET | 10-17-2007 | permalink