China summons US ambassador
China summons US ambassador after George Bush awards Dalai Lama with Congressional gold medal
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Thursday, 18, Oct 2007 12:55
China has summoned the US ambassador to formally complain after the Dalai Lama was awarded America's highest civilian honour.
Beijing said relations with the US had been "gravely undermined" by president George Bush presenting the Tibetan spiritual leader with the Congressional gold medal in Washington.
The 72-year-old has lived in exile since a failed uprising against Chinese troops in mainly-Buddhist Tibet in 1959.
China claims that the Dalai Lama is seeking full independence for his homeland, although he insists he is only pressing for greater autonomy.
Foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said that the Dalai Lama had presided over a "dark and cruel" society prior to the Communist occupation of Tibet.
"The move of the United States is a blatant interference in China's internal affairs, hurts the feelings of the Chinese people and has gravely undermined relations between China and the United States," he said.
"We urge the United States to take concrete steps to remove the terrible impact of its erroneous actions."
At the White House yesterday Mr Bush praised the Dalai Lama as a "man of faith and sincerity and peace".