Chinese media concerned about nature of visit

China's state-controlled media expressed their discontent Monday with a U.S. decision to allow the Dalai Lama to visit, and warned the relationship between the two nations could be harmed as a result. \nHis arrival this weekend will mark the Dalai Lama's fourth visit to Bloomington, part of a three-week tour across the U.S. \nAccording to the Associated Press, a commentary in the China Daily called the spiritual leader a "political plotter" and said by allowing the Dalai Lama to visit, the U.S. is taking a position on Tibetan independence. The AP also reported Tibet's new governor said recently the Dalai Lama could return to Tibet only if he halts all political activity and becomes a Chinese citizen.\nWeide Sun, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., said the Chinese government has expressed serious concern about the visit because it does not believe the Dalai Lama is a religious figure and he is in political exile from China.\n"We have expressed concern when the Dalai Lama visits foreign countries because America gives recognition that Tibet is not independent," Sun said, "so they should not allow him to come and engage in such activities."\nThe commentary claimed the Dalai Lama has "repeatedly taken advantage of every opportunity to propagate his separatist activites and try to rally international support for this purpose under the guise of religious expression."\nThough China warned its relationship with the U.S. could change, Sun said he believes the relationship has generally improved in the fields of politics, economic trade, law enforcement and terrorism.\nJeff Wasserstrom, director of the East Asian Studies Center at IU, agrees that at the moment, U.S.-Chinese relations are better than they have been in a long time. Wasserstrom said he believes Washington and Beijing need each other to carry forward the things they want to do in their own countries right now.\nHe also said China makes these comments whenever foreign leaders meet with the Dalai Lama or high-ranking officials from Taiwan because leaders in Beijing want to be the only conduit for any kind of negotiation relating to Tibet or Taiwan.\nSandy Belth, a volunteer at the Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington, said she feels like China is discontent with every nation the Dalai Lama visits. Belth said the Chinese government is continually trying to press the idea that the leader's sole purpose in visiting the U.S. is to push his political agenda.\n"His Holiness is not here for putting forth his political views," she said. "He is here to dedicate the new temple in the name of religious peace, harmony and interfaith collaboration."\nBelth said she does not believe China's warnings will affect the event hosted by the Tibetan Cultural Center this weekend.\nBloomington Mayor John Fernandez agrees with Wasserstrom and said the Chinese government makes similar statements each time the Dalai Lama visits Bloomington.\n"I think it's standard practice to make such statements," Fernandez said, "yet, in reality, it's more bluster than fact."\nThe mayor also said he thinks the Dalai Lama's visit is a good thing for Bloomington and it usually has a positive impact on how people feel.\n"His message does not transcend politics. He's a very courageous leader and I think he serves as a great inspiration for everyone, regardless of their faith."\n-- Staff Writer Kehla West contributed to this story. Contact Nation & World Editor Christina Galoozis at cgaloozi@indiana.edu.