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Dalai Lama meets German minister Dalai Lama meets German minister
(1 day later)
Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is in Berlin on the final leg of his tour of Germany.Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is in Berlin on the final leg of his tour of Germany.
He has met with the country's Economic and Development Minister, Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul.He has met with the country's Economic and Development Minister, Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul.
Thousands of people are expected to take part in a rally led by the Dalai Lama at the capital's Brandenburg Gate.Thousands of people are expected to take part in a rally led by the Dalai Lama at the capital's Brandenburg Gate.
His trip has exposed sharp divisions within Angela Merkel's government. Some suggest it caved in to Chinese pressure not to organise high-profile meetings.His trip has exposed sharp divisions within Angela Merkel's government. Some suggest it caved in to Chinese pressure not to organise high-profile meetings.
The Dalai Lama will not be meeting either Chancellor Merkel or Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.The Dalai Lama will not be meeting either Chancellor Merkel or Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Formal complaintFormal complaint
Instead, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader had an audience with Ms Wieczorek-Zeul.Instead, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader had an audience with Ms Wieczorek-Zeul.
Some politicians praised the minister's decision to meet the Dalai Lama, but others criticised her for not toeing the government line.Some politicians praised the minister's decision to meet the Dalai Lama, but others criticised her for not toeing the government line.
TIBET DIVIDE China says Tibet was always part of its territoryTibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before 20th Century1950: China launched a military assaultOpposition to Chinese rule led to a bloody uprising in 1959Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India Accounts from TibetQ&A: China and TibetTibet adds to Olympic woes TIBET DIVIDE China says Tibet was always part of its territoryTibet enjoyed long periods of autonomy before 20th century1950: China launched a military assaultOpposition to Chinese rule led to a bloody uprising in 1959Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled to India Accounts from TibetQ&A: China and TibetTibet adds to Olympic woes
The Chinese embassy was quick to file a formal complaint with the German government.The Chinese embassy was quick to file a formal complaint with the German government.
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy said the Dalai Lama was committed to the independence of Tibet, despite his assurances to the contrary, and he should not be given any official welcome.A spokesman for the Chinese embassy said the Dalai Lama was committed to the independence of Tibet, despite his assurances to the contrary, and he should not be given any official welcome.
The Dalai Lama is a hugely popular figure in Germany.The Dalai Lama is a hugely popular figure in Germany.
On Sunday, more than 7,000 people turned up at a rally in Nuremberg, where the Dalai Lama gave a rousing speech calling for greater religious tolerance.On Sunday, more than 7,000 people turned up at a rally in Nuremberg, where the Dalai Lama gave a rousing speech calling for greater religious tolerance.
Last year, Mrs Merkel enraged the Chinese leadership by receiving the Dalai Lama in Berlin for private talks, a step that triggered a frosty spell in German-Chinese relations.Last year, Mrs Merkel enraged the Chinese leadership by receiving the Dalai Lama in Berlin for private talks, a step that triggered a frosty spell in German-Chinese relations.
Since then, under pressure from business leaders, the German government has been trying to mend fences with Beijing.Since then, under pressure from business leaders, the German government has been trying to mend fences with Beijing.