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WASHINGTON: The Dalai Lama has been awarded the US Congressional Gold medal, America's highest civilian honour.
The Tibetan spiritual leader used the occasion to call on the Chinese leadership to enter into meaningful dialogue over Tibetan autonomy.
"Let me take this opportunity to once again appeal to the Chinese leadership to recognise the great problems in Tibet," said the Dalai Lama.
China is angered by the decision to honour the Dalai Lama, saying it will have serious consequences for US relations.
The award of the medal left no room for doubt over US support for the Dalai Lama's cause.
Previous recipients have included renowned international figures like Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa and Winston Churchill.
And this was the first time a sitting US president has appeared in public with the Dalai Lama.
China is clearly concerned.
Beijing says the event is a serious violation of its relationship with the United States because it interferes with China's internal political affairs.
Speaking before the ceremony, President Bush was unapologetic about his participation in the ceremony.
"I told the Chinese president, President Hu, that I was going to go to the ceremony. I brought it up. And I said 'I'm going because I want to honour this man'. 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," said President Bush.
The White House has noted China's concern and said that its support for the Dalai Lama is for a religious and not a political figure and that this is not an attack on China.
But with such forceful statements coming from those at the centres of power in Washington and in Beijing, there must now be a question mark over whether this could now affect the long-term relations between the two countries. - CNA/ir
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