AFM HE YAFEI EXPRESSES CHINESE OPPOSTION TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 019663 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV CH SUBJECT: AFM HE YAFEI EXPRESSES CHINESE OPPOSTION TO CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL FOR DALAI LAMA Classified By: Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Jr. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) (C) China is "strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed" to U.S. Congressional efforts to award the Dalai Lama the Congressional Gold Medal, Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei told the Ambassador on September 15. AFM He said that despite repeated Chinese requests that it be stopped, Congressional action had sent the wrong signal to Tibetan independence forces, amounted to "gross interference" in Chinese internal affairs, "gravely wounded" U.S.-China relations and "created obstacles" to Chinese-Tibetan dialogue. AFM He requested that the USG executive branch oppose Congress' efforts and restrict the Dalai Lama's activities in the United States. The Ambassador replied that the United States recognizes Tibet as part of China and urged China to engage directly in dialogue with the Dalai Lama. Congress is a separate and co-equal branch of government that frequently expresses its own views. The United States considers the Dalai Lama to be an internationally revered religious person, not a political figure, the Ambassador stated. RANDT