Whilst the author makes some good points, I can't help but feel he's missing the point here.

The author makes a few points but fails to draw the necessary conclusion. These were the main two points:

-The Chinese government strenuously objects to the Dalai Llama's meetings with other world leaders, which is counterproductive and stupid because it draws attention to the issue, gives the DL more publicity/power and ultimately forces foreign leaders to meet with him.

-The meeting with Obama won't actually change anything, it's merely a customary meeting.

However there were two glaring errors here. The author states:

"There is no point in the Chinese government acting irrationally against this customary contact."

So very wrong. Consider this - the Chinese government has billions upon billions of dollars at its disposal. It's certainly hired armies of advisors, including western ones, to discuss issues such as these.

Do you really think they're so naive as to not realize that objecting to these meetings draws more attention to this issue?

An issue that's been there for 30 years. An issue that could have been sent to the background simply by ignoring it?

Could they really be that stupid for so long?

The answer, is no. They're not.

The author states that Chinese people don't care about the Tibetan issue. Some don't. Many that I've encountered do.

This issue is beneficial for the CCP in more ways than one. Firstly, it is quite a distraction from other domestic issues. Everyone knows about the Dalai Llama issue. Almost no Chinese people are aware of the imprisonment of Liu Xiaobo.
Secondly, the Chinese government and indeed the public still feels that for many years, they simply did as they were told by other powers. This vocal attitude in regard to the Dalai Llama allows the Chinese people to see their government being confident. It is indeed a source of national pride.

This issue isn't about foreign governments meeting the Dalai Llama at all. It's a show for the domestic Chinese populace and it's a very effective one.

Metta to the Dalai Llama and Obama. The world needs more courage to stand up to the profound actions of bigotry.

China inside and outside the country, serves to promote everything that life can offer as draconian. Who could possibly take China's rule seriously. Be it on Human Rights or anything to do with the wellbeing of families. Take the 'One child, many tragedies' policy that has reinforced a much older tradition that favours the birth of boys.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/23/2827990.htm?site=thedrum

Or listen to the experience of one journalist in her "Message from an unknown Chinese mother" on Life Matters

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2010/2826983.htm

China is the last nation on earth I could respect while it continues to abuse and advocate such ill-fate toward selective groups of humankind.

Money is filthy while it rides on the back of ejaculated economic's, a hybridization of primitive uncivilised values.

We are all human beings; we are all deserving of human rights. One cannot be true without the other.

http://www.miacat.com/
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