The White House has announced that US President Barack Obama is to meet the Dalai Lama on Thursday next week.

China has repeatedly expressed opposition to the intended meeting with Tibet's spiritual leader. The Chinese protests started in November when the meeting was first announced and will probably increase in volume now that a date has been picked.The Chinese government regards the Dalai Lama as a separatist. Beijing is also upset about the planned sale of weapons to Taiwan, which is seen as a renegade province.