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US Dalai Lama award angers China US Dalai Lama award angers China
(about 1 hour later)
China has lashed out at the US for giving the Dalai Lama one of its highest honours, and summoned the US ambassador in Beijing to complain. China has stepped up a row with the US over its decision to award the Dalai Lama one of its highest honours, by summoning the US ambassador to protest.
The US "gravely undermined" ties with China by giving him the Congressional Gold Medal, a Chinese spokesman said. The US has "gravely undermined" ties with Beijing by giving him the Congressional Gold Medal, China said.
The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in India since a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader has lived in India since a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.
Beijing has long argued that he is seeking to destroy China's sovereignty by pushing for independence for Tibet.Beijing has long argued that he is seeking to destroy China's sovereignty by pushing for independence for Tibet.
On Wednesday the Dalai Lama met US President George Bush and received the Congressional Gold Medal in Washington - the highest civilian honour the US Congress can give. 'Blatant interference'
The timing was particularly sensitive because China is currently holding its five-yearly Party Congress, where it announces its agenda for the future and chooses new senior leaders. On Wednesday the Dalai Lama met US President George Bush in Washington to receive his award - the highest civilian honour Congress can give.
President Bush called on China to open talks with the Buddhist figurehead, calling him a "universal symbol of peace and tolerance".
CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL Top US civilian award Originally awarded to soldiers for achievement in battle, but became civilian award with introduction of Medal of HonorFirst awarded in 1776 to General George WashingtonTwo-third majority required to approve each candidate Each medal uniquely designed and created by the US MintOver 100 medals awardedPrevious winners include Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela Tony Blair, Winston Churchill and Pope John Paul II
The timing was particularly sensitive as China is currently holding its five-yearly Communist Party Congress, where it announces its agenda for the future and chooses new senior leaders.
"The move of the United States is a blatant interference in China's internal affairs," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao."The move of the United States is a blatant interference in China's internal affairs," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.
Mr Liu said the ministry had summoned US ambassador Clark T Randt to express "strong protest to the US government" over the issue. Mr Liu said the ministry had summoned ambassador Clark T Randt to express "strong protest to the US government" over the issue.
He urged the US to take concrete steps to protect Sino-US relations.He urged the US to take concrete steps to protect Sino-US relations.
US politicians regularly accuse Beijing of turning a blind eye to rights abuses in Burma and Sudan in its pursuit of energy and business deals.
Recently, world leaders have grown more vocal in their concern for human rights in Tibet.
In September, German Chancellor Angela Merkel met the Dalai Lama, incurring Beijing's wrath.
The Tibetan leader has also met Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer and Australian Prime Minister John Howard this year, and is due to meet Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper later this month.
China was outraged when Canada granted the Dalai Lama honorary citizenship last year.