The Dalai Lama's visit to Washington this week has put a temporary strain on US-China relations, though it is unlikely that the honours bestowed on the religious leader will cause irreparable damage.
The White House was quick to point out that President George W. Bush's private meeting was not intended to be a 'poke in the eye', and acknowledged Beijing's concerns by not holding their personal meeting in the Oval Office or releasing photos. Mr Bush had also personally informed President Hu Jintao , when they met in Australia last month, that the Dalai Lama would receive the Congressional Gold Medal.
Unfortunately, the timing of the Dalai Lama's visit to Washington coincides with the 17th party congress, although this does not appear to be an intentional slight. The US Congress voted to award the medal late last year, and planning for the event has been under way for months, whereas the dates of the 17th National Congress were released only recently. However, Chinese official statements denouncing the Dalai Lama's visit to the US were unusually harsh.
Outside China, the Dalai Lama's political appeal is tangible. The US is very much aligned with European and other allies who welcome the Nobel Peace Prize winner, as evidenced by the Dalai Lama's recent meetings with the German, New Zealand and Australian heads of state.
Despite a particularly polarised political environment in the US, the Dalai Lama has been warmly received by both Democrats and Republicans, and was even the catalyst of the unusual circumstance of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mr Bush willingly appearing on the same stage.
Mr Bush is known as a 'man of faith' and his respect for the religious figure is reciprocated by the Dalai Lama. Speaking in Washington, the Dalai Lama said that while he disagreed with some of Mr Bush's policies, including US support for dictatorships around the world, he described the president as a 'very nice person, I like him!'
Speaking at the 17th National Congress, Mr Hu made an overture to Taiwan, offering to negotiate a peace treaty under the 'one China' principle. Washington responded positively to the statement and, likewise, the US supports dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Beijing. Direct contact between the Dalai Lama's emissaries and Beijing was initiated in 2002, and six rounds of negotiations have taken place, with the last dialogue in June.
