
At his hotel in Washington, His Holiness told reporters he had expected a negative, scolding Chinese reaction to the meeting but that he was not frustrated that there has been so little progress on Tibetans' demands for greater autonomy.
He said Tibetans will never give up on their cause, even if progress comes after his own lifetime.
His Holiness was greeted at his hotel by a large crowd of supporters, who wept, prostrated themselves and chanted, "Thank you, Obama!" and, "Long live the Dalai Lama!"
Meanwhile in Beijing, the official Chinese news agency reported that Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Cui Tiankui had "lodged solemn representations" with US Ambassador Jon Huntsman, over President Obama's decision to meet with His Holiness.