President Barack Obama has concluded over an hour of private talks with the visiting Dalai Lama at the White House, and the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader declared himself "very happy."
The Dalai Lama told reporters on the White House driveway that he spoke to Obama about the promotion of human value, religious harmony and the concerns of the Tibetan people. He said Obama was "supportive. He also urged a greater leadership role for women in the public life of nations.
Obama's largely symbolic meeting with the Dalai Lama was kept low-key in deference to Chinese anger. Beijing considers the Buddhist monk a separatist, and Obama wanted to void angering China at a time when its cooperation was needed on nuclear standoffs, climate change and other priorities.
President Barack Obama will host the Dalai Lama at the White House today despite China's warning that the meeting with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader could further damage strained ties.
By going ahead with the meeting over Chinese objections, Mr Obama may be trying to show his resolve against an increasingly assertive Beijing after facing criticism at home for being too soft with China's leaders on his trip there in November.
"Chinese officials have known about this and their reaction is their reaction," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on the eve of the visit. Although admired by millions around the world as a man of peace, the Dalai Lama is accused by Beijing of being a dangerous separatist who foments unrest in Tibet.
Mr Gibbs insisted the United States and China - the world's largest and third-biggest economies - have a "mature relationship" capable of withstanding disagreements.
Agencies