As expected, China reacted strongly to the meeting between Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama, saying this had "grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, hurt the feelings of Chinese people and damaged Sino-U.S. relations."

This was similar to the reaction to President Obama's meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader last year.

In 2010, China suspended military relations with the United States after the meeting with the Dalai Lama and Washington's announcement of an arms sales package for Taiwan.