China lodges strong protest as top American official meets Dalai Lama

China on Thursday lodged a serious protest with the US after a top Biden administration official met the Dalai Lama and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to advancing the human rights of Tibetans and supporting efforts to preserve their distinct historical, linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage.

The Dalai Lama, 89, is recuperating in New York since he underwent a successful knee replacement surgery on June 28.

Uzra Zeya, the US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights and Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, travelled to New York for an audience with the Dalai Lama and conveyed Biden's message to the Tibetan spiritual leader, a State Department statement said.

The Tibetan spiritual leader's meeting with the top US State Department official comes months after Biden signed into law a bill which enhanced US support for Tibet to promote dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama towards a peaceful resolution of the dispute over the status and