Story highlights The meeting was not open to the press

The President and the Tibetan leader have met previously

Global Times: Meeting shows Obama's "mean side"

Washington (CNN) President Barack Obama met privately at the White House Wednesday with the Dalai Lama, a session that predictably sparked anger among Chinese officials who accuse the Tibetan spiritual leader of sponsoring a separatist movement.

It was Obama's fourth meeting with the Dalai Lama, each of which led to displeasure in Beijing. A White House official said ahead of the talks that the pair would discuss a range of issues, including human rights, but declined to provide any further details about the meeting, which was not open to the press.

Afterward, the White House said the Dalai Lama extended condolences for Sunday's terror attack in Orlando, but declined to provide further details of the discussion.

The Dalai Lama officially retired in 2011 from his political role as the leader of the exiled Tibetan government, but remains the head of Tibetan Buddhists and the object of scorn from the Chinese government.

China objects

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