This is What’s Trending Today… A meeting between the Dalai Lama and singer Lady Gaga has angered the Chinese government and Chinese citizens. The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader was at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in the state of Indiana when he met Lady Gaga. The two took part in a discussion on Sunday about human rights, kindness, and compassion. Lady Gaga posted photos and videos on social media of herself with the Dalai Lama. Chinese social media users were not happy. Many quickly expressed their anger over the meeting. Lady Gaga is hugely popular in the country, but the Dalai Lama is seen by the Chinese government as a dangerous separatist. According to the BBC, one Chinese Weibo user wrote that the meeting shows that Lady Gaga has not “considered her Chinese fans.” Another wrote, “she has given up on the Chinese market.” The Chinese government was not happy, either. It warned the international community of the Dalai Lama’s dangerous motives. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a news briefing Monday that “the purpose of [The Dalai Lama’s] visits and activities in other countries is just to promote his proposal for Tibetan independence.” The Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against the Chinese government. The Dalai Lama has asked for more autonomy – or power to self-govern – for Tibet. Talks between the Dalai Lama and China’s government stopped in 2010. Many musicians have had to cancel concerts in China after meeting with or supporting the Tibetan spiritual leader, including Selena Gomez, Bjork, and Maroon 5. Several media reports this week say the Chinese government plans to ban Lady Gaga’s music as a result of the meeting. It would not be the first time. China banned Lady Gaga in 2011. Its Cultural Ministry said at the time that the singer damaged “the nation’s cultural security.” China lifted its Lady Gaga ban in 2014. And that’s What’s Trending Today. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story exile – n. a situation in which you are forced to leave your country or home and go to live in a foreign country compassion – n. a feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, in trouble, etc. spokesman – n. someone who speaks for or represents a person, company or a government concert – n. a public performance of music uprising – n. a violent effort by people to change the government or leader of a country autonomy – n. the power or right of a country or group to govern itself
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