U.S. President Barack Obama reaffirmed Friday that his country recognizes Tibet as part of China and does not support "Tibet independence," said the White House.

Obama articulated the U.S. position during a closed-door meeting with the Dalai Lama at the White House's Map Room, instead of the Oval Office, where he usually receives foreign dignitaries.

"The president reiterated the U.S. position that Tibet is part of the People's Republic of China and that the United States does not support Tibet independence," the White House said in a statement.

Obama stressed he "encourages direct dialogue to resolve long-standing differences" over Tibet, said the statement.

The meeting was held despite Beijing's strong protests. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying urged the U.S. side to cancel the meeting and "not to facilitate or offer occasion for the Dalai Lama to conduct anti-China secessionist moves."

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui on Friday night summoned Daniel Kritenbrink, charge d'affaires of the U.S. embassy in China, to lodge solemn representations.

China holds that the Dalai Lama is in nature a political exile who has been engaged in secessionist activities under the cloak of religion. Beijing opposes any foreign leader's meeting with the Dalai Lama in any form.

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