The Dalai Lama has been received in the White House by US President Barack Obama.

After the meeting, the Tibetan spiritual leader came to meet the press alone. He said it was a pleasant meeting about peace and values as well as the lot of the Tibetans.

The meeting was met by fierce criticism from China, which sees the Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist seeking independence for Tibet.

Tension between the US and China was already high following the Chinese censorship of the internet and a US weapon deal with Taiwan - which China considers a renegade province.

There are fears that in response China might refuse to support sanctions against Iran, help break the impasse regarding the North Korean nuclear programme or sign a new climate treaty.