President Obama's meeting with the Dalai Lama received criticism from Chinese officials. (credit White House)

Despite objections from the Chinese government President Obama met with the Dalai Lama at the White House for a private meeting. According to the statement released by the White House however, Obama underlined the importance of human rights protection for all Tibetans during the meeting while reiterating U.S. officially policy that it does not support Tibetan independence from China. 

China has long considered the Dalali Lama as threat to the country's unity and following the meeting with Obama has demanded of the U.S. stop supporting anti-China separatist forces. 

From The Times Of India: 

"We demand the US side seriously consider China's stance, immediately adopt measures to wipe out the baneful impact, stop interfering in China's internal affairs and cease to connive and support anti-China separatist forces that seek 'Tibetan independence,"' Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said. 

The Dalai Lama, however, maintains his trip to the U.S. was inspired by a Kalachakra--spiritual retreat--and that he only seeks a high level of autonomy for Tibet.

Nonetheless, the meeting will have a negative affect between China and the U.S. analysts say. 

"I think after this meeting Sino-US relations will be rather cold over the next few months," Renmin University's international affair expert, Jin Canrong told The Times of India. "It may lead to the suspension of high-level official exchanges and therefore impact on the strategic mutual trust and cooperation between China and the US in some fields, including military ties."

The disagreement with China comes at an awkward time for the U.S. as both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden are scheduled to visit China shortly.