The Dalai Lama greets Lady Gaga, right, before a question and answer session at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis, Sunday, June 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press
BEIJING (AP) - China has warned people to be aware of what it says are nefarious motives of the Dalai Lama after he met with Lady Gaga and spoke about love and compassion.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Monday that the purpose of the Dalai Lama's travels is to "promote his proposal for Tibetan independence."
Beijing regularly vilifies the Tibetans' spiritual leader as a political figure who advocates Tibetan independence from China. The Dalai Lama says he simply wants a higher degree of autonomy under Chinese rule.
On Sunday, the Dalai Lama gave the keynote address at a conference in Indianapolis of American mayors. Before that, he met Lady Gaga.
Asked about the meeting, Hong said that China would like people to be aware of "his true colors and nature."
Lady Gaga listens as the Dalai Lama speaks during a question and answer session at the the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis, Sunday, June 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press
Journalist Ann Curry, from left, the Dalai Lama, Lady Gaga and businessman and philanthropist Philip Anschutz pose for a photo following a question and answer session at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis, Sunday, June 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press
Lady Gaga speaks during a question and answer session at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis, Sunday, June 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press
The Dalai Lama speaks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis, Sunday, June 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press
The Dalai Lama and Lady Gaga, center second from right, pose for a photo with mayors attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Indianapolis, Sunday, June 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Associated Press