The White House confirmed on Tuesday that US President Barack Obama will proceed with plans to meet the Dalai Lama, despite warnings from China not to do so. China has expressed concern that the meeting between Obama and the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader could further strain relations between the two countries, which are already facing challenges due to issues such as arms sales to Taiwan. Beijing has urged Obama not to meet with the Dalai Lama, with a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman stating that the government strongly opposes any contact between the US leader and the Tibetan leader. Ma stated that during Hu's meeting with Obama in Beijing last November, the Chinese leader made it clear that China strongly opposes any government officials meeting with the Dalai Lama. Ma urged the U.S. to understand the sensitive nature of Tibetan issues and handle related matters carefully to avoid harming China-U.S. relations. The Chinese government's anger over the White House announcement was expected, as was the White House's confirmation of the meeting, which had been anticipated. This conflict occurred shortly after Beijing criticized Washington for a $6.4 billion U.S. weapons deal with Taiwan, which China considers a rebellious province. It also happened during tensions between China and the U.S. over currency value, trade protectionism, and Internet freedom. Beijing has become more forceful in opposing meetings between the Dalai Lama and foreign leaders, which has sparked strong reactions among patriotic Chinese who view Western criticism of Chinese policies in Tibet as interference. The protests against Chinese rule in Tibet during the 2008 Beijing Olympics torch relay in London and Paris led to counter-protests by Chinese citizens abroad and boycotts of French goods in China. When French President Nicolas Sarkozy refused to cancel a meeting with the Dalai Lama during France's EU presidency in 2008, China cancelled a summit with the EU and called for boycotts of French products. Recently, a Chinese Communist Party official warned that a meeting between Obama and the Dalai Lama would harm Sino-U.S. relations. The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese Communist forces. He wants genuine autonomy for Tibet while remaining under Chinese rule, however Beijing believes he is actually seeking independence. Past US presidents, such as George W. Bush, have also met with the Dalai Lama, causing anger from Beijing but no significant consequences. China's recent statement did not mention any specific retaliation for Obama's upcoming meeting with the Dalai Lama. The spokesman for the Tibetan government-in-exile suggested that China's lack of reaction may indicate their concern over the Tibet issue and pressure from the international community. Despite earlier warnings from Beijing, the White House is not concerned about the meeting, which could take place this month. White House spokesman Bill Burton informed reporters that the president had informed China's leaders during his trip last year that he planned to meet with the Dalai Lama and still intends to do so. He emphasized that the relationship between the United States and China is mature enough to address mutual concerns such as climate change, the global economy, and non-proliferation, as well as openly discuss areas of disagreement. The US recognizes Tibet as part of China and urges Beijing to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama regarding the region's future. However, a Chinese foreign policy analyst warned that Beijing's response might be more challenging than expected, as China is becoming more assertive on what it considers core issues and aims to change the rules of engagement. Yuan Peng, head of US studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, expressed this viewpoint to the Chinese newspaper Global Times. Even though the US has sold weapons to Taiwan and met with the Dalai Lama in the past, we have expressed anger towards the United States. However, this time there will be genuine cursing and retaliation.