Last updated: 19 february, 2010 - 11:46 GMT
Why Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama upset China
President Obama postponed his meeting with the Dalai Lama until after he came back from a visit to China
Beijing has signalled its intense displeasure at the US president's meeting with the Dalai Lama, by summoning the American Ambassador to Beijing.
The Chinese authorities are always irritated when the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet is given recognition by any country, but showing this level of anger is unusual.
However, Beijing did not threaten relaliation and earlier President Obama decided to meet the Dalai Lama in the Map Room, rather than the Oval Office.
But why is the meeting important?
Robert Barnett is Director of Modern Tibetan Studies at Columbia University.
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First broadcast 19 February 2010
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