WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – President Barack Obama met with the Dalai Lama Thursday Morning, his office said.

The President expressed his support for the preservation of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans in the People’s Republic of China.

President Obama also applauded the Dalai Lama’s nonviolence approach, as he has constantly pursued dialogue with the Chinese government to resolve issues.

The President and His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama coincided that a cooperative relationship between the U.S. and China is of great importance.