Beijing accuses the Dalai Lama of advocating for Tibetan independence from China . `` The two sides had sharply divided views , '' Zhu said . Obama : Obama to meet Dalai Lama in his capacity as a ` ` respected religious and cultural leader '' China warns a meeting between the two leaders ` ` seriously undermine Sino - Tibetan ties '' Beijing accused the Dalai Lama of advocating for Tibetan independence . The Tibetan spiritual leader fled China in 1959 , now lives in India .
Obama : Obama to meet Dalai Lama in his capacity as a ` ` respected religious and cultural leader '' China warns a meeting between the two leaders ` ` seriously undermine Sino - Tibetan ties '' Beijing accused the Dalai Lama of advocating for Tibetan independence . The Tibetan spiritual leader fled China in 1959 , now lives in India .