China Isn’t Happy About US Wishes for Dalai Lama’s Birthday

Intermediate | July 11, 2025

✨ 혼자서 기사를 소리 내어 읽거나 튜터를 따라 각 단락을 반복해서 읽으세요. 레벨...

A Birthday, a Statement, and a Strong Reaction

A Special Milestone and a Diplomatic Spark

So, the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, just turned 90 on July 6th. That’s a big birthday! The United States, specifically Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sent a message wishing him well. This sparked the China response to US Dalai Lama statement, which quickly made headlines. This might seem like a nice gesture, right? Well, it caused quite a stir with China.

China’s View and Quick Response

China quickly criticized the U.S. for this birthday message. Why? Because China sees the Dalai Lama as a political figure who wants to separate Tibet from China, not just a religious leader. They believe the U.S. statement is interfering in their internal affairs, which they really don’t like. It’s a classic case of two sides having completely different perspectives on a sensitive issue.

More Than Just a Birthday Wish

Support Beyond the Celebration

The U.S. statement did more than just wish the Dalai Lama a happy birthday. It also mentioned supporting the Tibetan people’s rights and their ability to practice their religion freely, including choosing their own religious leaders without outside interference.

The Reincarnation Controversy

This part is particularly sensitive because China insists that it must approve the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. The current Dalai Lama recently said that his reincarnation should be chosen by a trust he established, not by the Chinese government. This disagreement over who gets to decide the future spiritual leader is a major point of tension.

The Bigger Picture: U.S.-China Tensions

Why the China Response to US Dalai Lama Statement Matters

This situation shows how complicated the relationship between the U.S. and China is. Small actions, like a birthday greeting, can lead to strong reactions because they touch on deep disagreements about human rights, religious freedom, and China’s control over Tibet. It highlights the ongoing diplomatic challenges between these two global powers.

Vocabulary

Spiritual (adjective): Relating to religion or religious belief.
Example: “The Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader.”
Criticize (verb): To express disapproval of someone or something.
Example: “China decided to criticize the U.S. statement.”
Statement (noun): A formal declaration of something.
Example: “The U.S. issued a statement about the birthday.”
Interfere (verb): To get involved in a situation without being asked.
Example: “China believes the U.S. is trying to interfere in its affairs.”
Internal affairs (noun phrase): Matters happening within a country, seen as not the business of other countries.
Example: “Tibet’s status is considered an internal affair by China.”
Sensitive (adjective): Needing to be handled with care because it could cause problems or upset people.
Example: “This is a very sensitive political issue.”
Perspectives (noun): Ways of looking at or thinking about something.
Example: “The two countries have different perspectives.”
Reincarnation (noun): The belief that a person’s soul is reborn in another body after death.
Example: “The process of finding the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation is important.”
Insists (verb): Demands forcefully; states something strongly.
Example: “China insists it must approve the successor.”
Tension (noun): A situation in which there is difficulty and disagreement between people or groups.
Example: “The disagreement is causing tension between the two countries.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What was China’s main problem with the U.S. birthday message?
Why is the idea of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation a sensitive topic between China and the U.S.?
How does this news story show the complexity of U.S.-China relations?
According to China, what is the Dalai Lama’s role?
What does the U.S. statement support besides wishing the Dalai Lama a happy birthday?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

How important do you think religious freedom is in international relations?
Should other countries comment on what a country considers its “internal affairs” if human rights are involved?
What challenges might there be in choosing a religious leader, especially in a political context?
How do cultural differences sometimes lead to misunderstandings between countries?
Why do you think some political issues can become very emotional or sensitive for people?

Related Idiom

“Rub salt in the wound”
Meaning: To make a difficult situation even worse for someone.
Example: China felt the U.S. statement was like “rubbing salt in the wound” because it challenged their control over Tibet.

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This article was inspired by: The Hindu, July 8, 2025