(TibetanReview.net, Mar09, 2017) – China has on Mar 7 called Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, describing him as an ‘actor’ whose performance can be rather deceptive, when asked to respond to his remark that its hardline leaders “have no common sense” on the issue of Tibet.
Not in the least amused, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang has told a Regular Press Conference in Beijing that the Dalai Lama had tried to sound funny and humorous in his interview with the British comedian and TV host John Oliver. “However,” Geng has continued, “His words are all lies that do not accord with the facts.”
The ministry’s official website further quoted Geng as saying, “We have said many times that the 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the disguise of religion. Now it seems that he is also an ‘actor’ whose performance can be rather deceptive.”
The interview was aired on Mar 5 night in the US on the HBO show.
During the interview, which was conducted at the Dalai Lama’s residence in India’s northern hill town of Dharamshala, Oliver asked the Tibetan leader if he was worried about the Chinese authorities naming his successor. The latter did not answer directly but told Oliver that Chinese hard-liners lacked common sense and “that part of the brain”.
“They describe me as a demon,” the Dalai Lama continued, adding, “Then I immediately (say) I am a demon with horns,” sticking his fingers up on either side of his head to laugher from Oliver and his audience.
The Dalai Lama said he simply laughed off such attacks from Chinese leaders, adding, “I practice taking others’ anger, suspicion, distrust, and give them patience, tolerance and compassion. I practice that.”
AP reported Mar 7 that the Dalai Lama interview was called “an unexpected delight” by online news site Vox, while sports and entertainment website Fansided described it as “like a hug for the soul”.