Obama expresses support for Tibet

US President Barack Obama has expressed his support for Tibetan rights in talks held at the White House with the Dalai Lama despite objections from China.



The meeting comes amid tension in US-Sino relations, with disputes simmering over US arms sales to Taiwan, claims of Chinese cyber-spying and trade deals.



China, which views the Dalai Lama as a separatist, says the meeting is a violation of US policy on Tibet.



The US downplayed China\'s concerns but kept the meeting low key.



The closed talks were held at the White House\'s Map Room instead of the more official Oval Office, in an attempt to signal to China that it was a private, not a political meeting.