Reacting to the meeting between a 7-member US Congress delegation and the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala on May 9, 2017, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told a news conference on May 10, that 'the Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the guise of religion. In meeting with the Dalai Lama, US lawmakers sent an incorrect message to the world and violated the US government pledge not to support "Tibetan independence." He added that "US lawmakers should cease contact with the Dalai Lama and take measures to rectify the negative impact of their actions."

Separately, Lian Xiangmin, an expert at the China Tibetology Research Center, told the Global Times that "US congressional delegations have consistently supported and communicated with the Dalai Lama, including meeting him in India or inviting him to deliver speeches," Lian Xiangmin, an expert at the China Tibetology Research Center, told the Global Times. He observed that 'Pelosi's behavior and others who have met with the Dalai Lama have violated the foundation of Sino-US diplomatic relations, and have gone against the will of both countries' peoples'. Lian Xiangmin added that China should, however, "be confident enough that with the development in Tibet, more people from around the world will discover the truth in the region, Lian said, adding that similar events like the US congressional meeting with the Dalai Lama will become fewer and have a weaker impact."

(Comment: The 7 members of the US Congress were Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Judy Chu (D-CA), Joyce Betty (D-OH), and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). 

China's response to the meeting between 7 US Congressmen led by Ms Nancy Pelosi and the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala on May 9, 2017, was mild compared to Beijing's reactions to similar interactions concerning the Dalai Lama or members of his establishment with other foreign governments.)