we tibetans would like to express our deepest thanks for USA people's recognition.. really his holiness deserve that congressional award.. But whats wrong happened to chinese ppl..? jealous or what?.. try to have some basic human qualities..

Tenzin Youtso, Chennai, India

America's attitude towards this whole matter is really good. they are honoring Dalai Lama because he truly deserves it and not to offend China. And another thing is this that i didn't get a word that this rockford has said... i am not a buddhist.. and i am not going to say something about my religion here, because it's not about that. dalai lama is an enlightened soul and he deserves to be respected.

himani, delhi, india

If Tibet was part of China, why did a million Tibetians die when the Chinesse government take over between 1952 and 1959. It's very easy for the Chinesse to say Tibet was always theirs, but if you ask any Tibetian..

John Crone, Toronto, Canada

It is interesting that President Bush bestows such high honors on the Dalai Lama. While it is a nobile thing to pursue peace in this world, it amazes me that some attach the word "holiness" to his title. Only the One True God, YHWH, is holy, yet the Dalai Lama can be made holy only by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God who came down to us as one of us, and suffered and died in our place to reconcile us to God. He came back to life, having conquered death. Jesus died for the Dalai Lama too, as well as for the rest of the world. Jesus is the source of true and lasting peace. It is a shame the communists in China are afraid of the message of the Gospel.

Politically, itt is curious that President Bush is not willing to stand up to China regarding self-control for Tibet. Despite continuing abuses in China, President Bush doesn't go far enough to stand against China's occupation of Tibet, and their continued abuses.

R D Eischen, Rockford, U.S.A. / Illinois

Sorry, wangwenqian. Say what you want, but Tibet had always been an independent nation, only linked to China through Princess Wenchang, who married Songstan Gampo in the 7th century. This is what China bases its claim to Tibet on, but that's pretty weak. China wants Tibet's resources, and has done everything possible to annihilate Tibetans. Your own country should mind ITS own affairs.

Pat, Belgrade, Serbia

I wonder how "Ralph" would feel if someone said something so disrespectful about his own spiritual leader. Many of us feel the Dalai Lama has a far greater understanding of true freedom than does George W. Bush.

Jim, West Barnstable, MA

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a bright and shinning star to all the world. Just to see his smile and happiness brings joy to my soul. His teachings are of peace, compassion and kindness to all beings. He is not a man with harmful intentions, he rightfully would want his own country of Tibet to be free of Chinese rule. Their would be world peace if we all could work towards having his compassionate nature. He is a role model to us all on how to live our lives.
Share Gardiner, Anchorage, AK, USA

Share Gardiner, Anchorage, AK/USA

As an American of Han Chinese descent, I am extremely gratified to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama receive this honor. I think His Holiness is a great spiritual leader and a moral force for his people and the world. Tibet, by the way, is linguistically and culturally a separate and distinct "captive nation" (to borrow Czeslaw Milosz's phrase) and it is sad to see how thoroughly misinformed native Chinese people are. One of my most treasured possessions is an inscribed copy of the Dalai Lama's autobiography which I will proudly pass on to my two boys when they are older.

Pei Chuan Koay, Yerevan, Armenia

you the foos, Do you allowed your own motherland to be divided to several parts, Do you wish your family business to be interfered by others. Tibet is a part of China, as every with a little consciousness knows. mind your own country affairs , don't put such spupid comments on China

wangwenqian, quanzhou, china

Liz London,
what are you doing against Irlands illegal occupation by England?
Tibet and China are bondet since thousends of years!
Infect it was Tibet occupying China at first, if you read your history book!

halina, cologne,

the US alwasys shameless and want to do some trick to draw the Chinese steps on development.
They arent qualified to abuse anyone when they keep shooting on women and children on the Iraq streets.

come on,US,do more meaningless thing which cannnot disturb even a bit about us,idiot.

zhouwei, shanghai, China

This is all very well but why aren't the west challening China's illegal occupation of Tibet, its disgraceful human rights and animal rights records , environmental policies etc? Why is this country being allowed to hold the Olympics? Why is it almost impossible to buy something that isn't made in China? It's all about money so this display from Bush won't fool anyone.

Anyone with the tiniest of moral consciences should boycott China and all its products.

Liz, London,

The silence on Tibet's situation is so frustrating. I hope the junta in Burma relinquishes power or is ousted so that the international focus can fall on Tibet. The Chinese government is backwards and brutal in it's approach, not only with Tibet, but with its own people.

Andrew, Cape town,

Tibet, like Taiwan and Mongolia, is a part of China dated back to you know when. The Russian government under the great Dictator Stalin conspired with officials of Outer Mongolia after WWII to break away from China. I hope President Bush will not do to Tibet like what Stalin did to the Outer Mongolia. If history is any guide, look what happened to the Southern States when they tried to break away from the Union, you had a civil war that hundreds of thousands innocent soldiers got killed..

W. Chan, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Why have the US government decided to play so nice with a tyranical communist goverment who continues to violate basic human rights and is currently poised to invade one of our allies - Taiwan ?

Caesar Padilla, Fort Lee / NJ, USA

Perhaps the people from China whoare posting comments should ask the generation alive in the 1980s about the massacre of pro-democracy citizens at Tienanmen Square, and then think about what kind of information you are allowed to know or not know about your own country's history. Then think about what you have been told about the history of Tibet and the Dalai Lama. We in the rest of the world saw what your government does to its own people who disagree with it. You are not told the truth about this, or about many other parts of your history, just like the Japanese government tries to cover up its crimes committed against the Chinese in the 1930s and 1940s.

David B., San Diego, USA/California

I thought that we as human beings, had become intelligent enough to understand that physical violence, war, and brutal authority were mentality of the past. Dialogue, people taking care of people, love, compassion, and forgiveness is what life is about. As my late husband stated "You come in naked and you go out naked, you can't take anything material with you; it's what you do as a person to others and yourself in between the time you are here and the time death comes that counts." He was a true Native American believer and his spirit continues on in what he did with the time in between. To love and be loved is all there really is. Tibet loves their country; I wonder what China loves? I wonder why its so hard to just give the Tibetan people their Country and live together responsibly; people taking care of people. Life is short. It's not that hard to be nice. It appears China is still using that old mentality.

Susan Graham-Schuyler, Suquamish, WA

To Sun Tzu, Middletown, DEW:

When you state that " people of China could easily oust the Communist rule and create the world's most successful economy?", you failed to realize a fact that China's economy is already the most successful one now and, if you judge a party according to economic performance, Communist should just stay.
Who would oust a rulling party which bring to the country an average 10% GDP for 28 years? Another thing is clear: Even if with a free election, Chinese Communist Party, you like it or not, will win.

gao hong, Beijing, China

I am absolutely outraged at the comment attempting to justify Chinese human rights violations to American historical mistakes. We don't act proud of what happened, and we don't need to be reminded. China might as well stop trying to put up a facade of being "democratic". Everyone knows that there is no such thing in China.

Ben Horner, Sugar Hill, GA

For the Dali Lama to be a Benedict Arnold, he would have to be Chinese, which he is not. Tibet is not a part of China, it is a conquered territory. China is the one who needs to be comfortable and take note of the end of the USSR. When you try to keep people a part of something they don't want, they will eventually get out of it.

Ben Horner, Sugar Hill, GA

Tongluren,

The difference is that the American government, as well as the American public, regularly honor the sovereign rights of Native Americans. American school students are taught from a young age the atrocities committed by white settlers against the Native populations. Further, there is NO effort that I have ever heard of in recent years of a Native American tribe demanding complete autonomy. The vast majority of tribes wish to continue their separate, but facilitated status. Indeed, it is insulting to Native groups to refer to their interests as if they are one singular people. You might want to actually learn something about these Native Americans before you conflate their history with that of the Tibetan people.

The Tibetan people are STILL brutally oppressed by the communist regime and are given NO choice as to their sovereignty. Shame on you for defending the CCP and shame on you for misunderstanding Native Americans.

Glen Hamburg, Omachi, Japan

Why not a Nobel War Price for the American People and President Bush, for mass Killings from Vietnam to Yugoslavia to Irak under the cover of democracy Bush and the Lama could look eye to eye

Mao Tao, Shanghai, china

I think Harry of London, UK, has a great idea. I agree that the native Americans have been relegated to the American version of the Gulag for centuries, after repeated betrayals, neglected treaties, eliminations of quite a few native cultures, and so on. The "awarding of Casinos to the "Tribes" has not exactly produced the kinds of uplifting benefits and improvements in the living conditions of those who live on the reservations. That is a blot on America's won record of "Human Rights," which most people do not even realize. If the Chinese do what Mr. Harry suggests, it would be a nice "tit for tat," which is far better than creating another political controversy. And really, since when did it become necessary to "take permission" of the current government for reincarnation. It is a spiritual concept and has been accepted by a large numbers of the world's population for centuries. Remember that the Indians also believe in reincarnation, as do many other "old" cultures around the world

Rashmideep, Arlington, VA

Thank You to the People of United States of America,

Tibetan people will forever remain grateful to you for this great recognition to his contribution to the world peace and non violent struggle to free Tibet from Chinese illegal occupation. It is tough dealing with the Chinese through non violence, but not impossible with international communities support.

Tsering Wangchuk, Toronto, Canada

It does'nt matter how the US and its so-called western allies to see or to receive Dala Lama in their respective office(s), the real fact will remain and it will remain until the end of time: the tibet is part of china and nobody or no any government (no matter how strong the government is) can separate that or deny that. The west just can not see China-- the emerging superpower on this planet--become stronger day by day and using those eivl people either dala lama or some other so called dissenter to needling the china and its people. For the case of dala lama, the medal is his last hurrah, because I firmly believe he will forever exile and, eventually, be buried in the foreign land.

frank, redondo beach,

Regardless whether or not you support President Bush, He should be properly address. He is the elected President of the United States and should be address as such. He has done no further damage to our Constitution then any other president. What else would you expect a president to do in the light of terrorist attacks on US soil? If you have nothing to hid what are you worried about. The Men and Women fighting in Iraq know the freedom was never free. Anyone out there who thinks it is should take a trip over there to see the situations. i agree that anyone who is in support of freedom and human rights like the Dalai Lama should be honored (even when I don't agree with his religous beliefs)

BLY, Detroit, MI USA

1. I feel sorry for the people of China that have accepted the brain washing techniques of their Communist rule. The Dali Lama isn't perfect, and yes at some point in time he did things that could be considered extreme, but to equate him to middle-eastern terroism is disturbingly ignorant.

2. The difference between Native Americans and the people of Tibet is clear. Native Americans were overthrown 400-500 years ago, Tibet was about 50 years ago. We're not proud of how things happened with the Native Americans, but we've kinda moved on and set up a successful industrialized country. China (which is already successful and industrialized) just didn't like opposition to it's communist rule (which gets scared by anyone rocking the boat), so it set out to neutralize the threat.

3. Which brings me to my final point... The people of China, with a stagering number of citizens, could easily oust the Communist rule and create the world's most successful economy.

But will they??

Sun Tzu, Middletown, DE

All over China, chinese language and dialects have been spoken except for in Tibet. Why? Because Tibet was never China in the first place! (Tibetan language has a completely different root than chinese language.) Only since the Cultural Revoluton has chinese language been pounded into the heads of Tibetan people in an attempt to erase their abilitiy to even think in 'Tibetan'. China wants to dominate the very internal thoughts of these people so the occupation of Tibet by China goes way beyond land occupation.
There are 2 reasons China wants to control Tibet from the inside and out: 1) To mine for the resources to build nuclear weapons, and 2) To beat down the threat of true Buddhist practice. The Dalai Lama isnt a real threat. It is what he represents: Freedom of thought, freedom of speech, as well as the free choice for individuals to liberate themselves as individuals-not as a Maoist controlled group.
Mao hated Buddhism because he didnt want people to own thier minds!

Ariel, Atlanta,

i think jean and t yang is completely unaware of past history they should keep in mind that truth is not like chopsticks which can be made by destroying tibetan forest ,rather it is tree which is of purest form

tsultrim, delhi, india

Although I do not embrace the Dalai Lama's religion I do embrace the worldwide desire for freedom. Why aren't the leaders and people of the People's Republic of China courageous to allow freedom of religion, freedom of speech , freedom of association and freedom of the press. Thousands of my Christian brothers and sisters are persecuted, cruelly treated, imprisoned , tortured and killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.
I pray for you China, that you may know true freedom through repentance and faith in the Savior of the world.
www.persecution.com

Ray Nicholson, Catskill, NY USA

From the comments above, I could see most of the people who are criticizing about awarding medal to His Holiness The Dalai Lama are mostly from china. I could say if they are either forced to write it down here by brutal communist leader or just writing their comments without profound knowledge of the history of Tibet and its culture. Those who are from China, you should be aware that your government is hiding all the truth about Tibet and all made up fake history are put down in your high school books and no one can oppose your communist government about those stupid history which are supplemented in your school.
Tibet by no doubt was an INDEPENDENT nation prior to chinese occupation in year 1959. The religious freedom, fundamental rights, political rights are all suppressed by this heartless communist leader. Please learn the fact about Tibet and tibetan people. Communist chinese are just hiding the truth.

Tsering, New York, USA

Tibet was an independent nation and China brutally occupied it on 1959 taking advantage of this religious nation who had no defense at all.

Peter, New York, USA

Three cheers for Mr. President and United States of America!!!
Three cheers to all the other Heads of State who have met HH the Dalai Lama - Australia, New Zealand & Germany among others. All peace loving people, please unite and give your support to the people of Tibet. Let the Chinese Govt. know that no amount of intimidation would stop us and the righteous governments from giving support to HH the Dalai Lama who is a living symbol of kindness and compassion.

S. Lim, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Interesting... such informed and enlightened views from the sons of the great Cultural revolution. Historical "correctness" from Communist (deny this also?) China. Oxymoron. So let me get this strait... It is O.K. for China to do whatever it chooses so long as it can find some vague historical precedent .... why not use German historical strategy to eliminate dissent while your at it.... your pals in Burma seem to aggree with you..Tongluren, Yang, sawa, widiner, yang, chin, hong, Amelia?. I dislike the Bush admin. as much as anyone; however (A) I am FREE to publicly disagree (are Chinese?) and (B) this is one issue that for whatever reason Bush has got right. Shame on China!

mo, vancouver,

Regarding Randy Lee's comment on the proper way to address a president, I find it refreshing and encouraging that a member of the news media refuses to refer to Bush as "president." The man does not act like a president, doesn't have the intellectual or moral capacity to be president, is totally unqualified for the job. Considering the damage he's done to our constitution and our reputation in the world, I think Mr. Bush is more than appropriate.

Pat, San Antonio, Texas

The e-mails from China are interesting, as they reinforce the fact that the people of China are only allowed to learn their government's version of history. To call the Dalai Lama a "separtatist (sic) and terrorist" is to know nothing of the man or the history of Tibet.

Ken Horvath, Bridgewater, NJ

The Chinese Government's occupation of Tibet has caused many many Tibetans to become refugees in India. This is evident from the very large Tibetan refugee population one finds now-a-days in India. The world stood by and did nothing to stop this ethenic cleansing.

Gupta, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Cheers to the U.S. Congress and President Bush for having the courage to honor this great and humble man, despite what Communist China thinks.

Unless China reconsiders its dubious role in Tibet, Burma, Darfur, North Korea and other parts of the world, the U.S. should consider a full boycott of the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing.

Mark Flanigan, Arlington, VA

I like to make a comment on the Hong's reaction. Tibetans in Tibet have the freedom within the box, the freedom under the Communist government. Before 1959, I agree that the Tibetan peoples weren't well informed on every single things, but atleast they can live the life that they described as "happy life." Although Chinese government claims on making improvement in Tibet, but the actual Tibentan identity has been destroying since the Chinese illegal invasion of Tibet in 1959. Expressing someone's faith to Dalai lama, needs an approval on reincernation by the Communist government, who even doesn't believe in religion, being a minority in our our land, is this the freedom how Communist government define "FREEDOM." Although Chinese might have been success on building its clean image to its citizens by the banner of economic improvement, but the tibetan actual faith and identity that were destroyed by the Communist government can't be replaced by the economy or the military force.

Proud to be a Tibetan, Colorado, USA

Whether you agree with him or not, it's President Bush, not Mr. Bush.

Randy Lee, Clearwater, FL

I want to ask Gao. Have you been to Tibet? Have you ever read the history of Tibet and what CCP has done to Tibet and tibetans? YOu should know them and then judge.

Dhargyal, London, UK

Why hide the truth anyone who has anything bad to say about the Dalai Lama (especially in a country built on human rights violations and still practices them today) doesn't really know anything about the Dalai Lama. He opposed violence to Chinese during the uprising and opposed violent resistance when the Khampas were retaliating China's invasion. Even if you took away his robes, title and symbolism you will have the example of what it means to be a human being living in a society.

Joseph, Minneapolis ,

I believe the issues about the relationship between Chinese government and Tibet monks are national probem and it is our responsbility to solve it out without external interference or forces. However, as the President of the most powerful country seeking for democracy and human rights, Bush should learn that understanding are more important than personal judges on national topics instead seeking opportunities for potential conflicts.
I believe personal adoration is understandable but at the very important position, Bush's action does not simply mean any personal preferences but political attitudes to certain issues.
China is trying very hard to have a harmonious and peaceful relationship between domestic nations as well as international relations.
I am really interested in the point raised by harry. What kind of moral resposiblity shoud China take in your minds in the relationship with Tibet?

Amelia , China, UK ,

Dalai Lama would certainly like to return home only to be served by thansands waiting ignorant and supersticious serfs in the vast land he used to own. But the fact is nowadays Tibet is not paradise for serfowners like him any longer.

Guess most of the posters here have never been to Tibet, to see how, unlike Dalai lied, the Tibetens are free to worship ( even millions of Han Chinese are free believers of Tibeten Buddism today) and how easy for Tibetens to get a passport to leave the country legally. And how Americans "destroyed" Tibeten culture with their Coke and Hollywood cliche and how the GDP of Tibet in 2006 was 6.5%, even much higher than USA.

Dalai Lama should be tried for the crimes he committed before 1959 and be locked up behind the bar with Shoko Asahara, whom he appraised as " real budda and hero."

gao hong, Beijing, China

Tongluren -

It is difficult to understand why you would want to hold up the example of the U.S. treatment of native Americans as a justification for how China treats Tibet.

Many Americans are not proud of this history.

Perhaps China could do better.

Celia, Miami, FL, USA

Dalai Lama excaped from China after he failed in his armed uprising against China; the arms was supplied by CIA and the British and that was the historical fact America and Britain cannot deny. Tibet signed a sovereign with China back in 13th century agreed to be part of China using the term "generations after generations" . In Chinese, that means always and forever . The American Congress should know courtesy and good manner make good foreign policy. Tibet is not an Indian reservation, China did not use millions of Black slave to pick cotton free of charge nor did China lynch any run away Black slave. It's about time for America to look inside itself and repent. I also would like to ask: Where is the 40 acres of land and a mule supposedly promised by an American president to compensate every black slave of America? Where is the compensation for the victims of Orange Agent in Vietnam? The world will not forget America was the first country ever to use atomic bomb against Japan.

SHAUTONG CHIN, Cambridge, UK

"the Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule"

The author is attempting to rewrite history - China invaded Tibet. It was Tibetan resistance to occupation by an invading, brutal army of the Han Chinese. Likewise, the most the Bush administration can claim is that it is following the U.N. charter America has already signed respecting self-determination for all peoples. Be they Panamanians, Kurds, East Timorese, Palestinian, Israeli, or Tibetan.

Leigh, Amsterdam, Netherlands

It is ridiculous that USA and Bush will reward this Monk, so called spirital fignure who opposes to the 13 million of Chinese a highst civilian award. What's Bush's purpose? To show that USA is keen to support any dissident (even the evil head Fa Lun Gong ) of China.
I am dissappointed with USA and especially Bush.

Jean Evans, Beijing, China

Dalai lama, the representative of theocracy, serfowner, separtatist and terrorist.

T Yang, Shenzhen, China

To get this straigt,it was the CIA by giving the Dalai Lama 1.3 Million USD to steer up the seperatist movement in 1957!
So why does Mr. Bush and his Poodle Frau Merkel honor the God king recently?
How about China starts supporting separate movements in the USA or in Germany. In my vive the decent People are the
Leaders of China and the Communist party of China,who happen to start there 17 Congressional Meeting in Beijing today.
My deepest Respect and my Best Wishes to the CPC and there Leader President Hu Jintao and all the People of China.

e_widiner, shanghai, china peoples republik

Tibet is one part of China. It belongs to all Chinese people. The Chinese govonment govern this area with high respect to the local people. They liberated the slaves, send doctors and nerses to cure the diseased Tibetans. They help them in education,economic ,ect. The life is much more better now than it was before 1950s.

sawa, gongxi,

"In his brief speech, Mr Bush will praise the Dalai Lama as a “great spiritual leader”, but will also state that he is not seeking Tibetan independence."

So there will be no changes regarding china and the tibetan people. The praise of the Dalai Lama in the land of the free is "as a great spiritual leader" is nice but meaningless.

Corinna, Germany,

No, this does not "Alarm" China, they are just miffed. Docking an aircraft carrier group in a Taiwanese port would "Alarm" China. Shouting about Tibet is a non-event, used as a red herring to quell public debate. In reality, Tibet was a superstitious serfdom complete with indentured child servents, forced into slavery by the elite monks, far worse than anything the Taleban has ever done. If Tibet were given full independence, the US would have to re-invade, if only to liberate it from the religious fanatics. The Dalai Lama would not understand freedom and democracy even if it crawled up his robe and bit him on his butt. Consider the complete silence and rebukes the US gives to Taiwan, a democratic, free, and self governed island of 23 million, complete with western values. Why discuss Tibet and not Taiwan? Because it doesn't do anything. I wouldn't be surprised if China had a tacit agreement with the west to discuss Tibet once in a while, to keep protesters happy, but nothing else.

Ralph, New York, New York

Tongluren displays ignorance of the actual relationships of Native American Nations to the US Federal Government, as well as of Tibetian history , culture and native (non-Chinese) aspirations. The "true autonomy" of the Tibetian Region envisioned by the Chinese Central Government, to which he/she refers, involves neither respect nor independence for historic Tibetian religious institutions (including the Dalai Lama), or its culture.

Joseph McNeill, Independence, Missouri, USA

Tongluren: Native american are not torture for their beliefs, they can go abroad without being killed by border guards and they live in safe and comfortable natural parks. Have you heard about a native american trying to escape from USA?Tibetans are torture just for being it, the border guards kills them when they try to escape from a miserable life quality and all his religous buildings have being destroyed. (except the Potala palace they use for tourism), so if you want to critize USA, you cannot defend China, because China is far worse in human rights abusses. Get informed! (My english is bad because is not my mother languaje)

Pablo, santiago, chile

Good job, Mr. Bush. The Chinese brutally suppressed Tibet and imposed their heartless regime on the Tibetan people. The Dalai Lama is a living symbol of kindness, compassion, and good will.

james donald, San Francisco, CA

Concerning China's rule over Tibet: and comparing it to the conquest of native Americans (Inca, Aztec, N.American, etc), At least people with free press can discuss the immorality of brutal greedy conquest and the sad destruction of native culture without getting jailed for it.

Ken, Houston, TX

What are joking, American is honouring a representative of theocracy as well serfowner, this is insulting to 1.4 chinese people, also demeaning the medal. This have severely trampled on the norms of international relations, hurt the feelings of the Chinese people, and are wild interference in China's domestic affairs.

Whenever you are trampling the feeling of the chinese people, please think twice,more trampling, more resentful, yes, we are poor country but we have our dignity and we are 1.4 b united people.

Why were chinese swifting form Pro-USA in 1980's to anti-USA nowadays, mainly due to their feeling are constantly hurted by the USA without any reason, please dont rush to do what chinese people dislike, you are killing yourself when you are hurting others.

T Yang, Shenzhen, China

For the sake of the Tibetan people, PLEASE get the historical facts right. The Dalai Lama left Tibet after the chinese invaded his land. To say he left after a failed uprising creates an incorrect impression, as if the problem was some sort of internal affair. China engaged in a systematic program of genocide and deculturalization, and relies on it's propagandist version of history to account for it's actions. Tibet was an independent , free country. Just try going to buy a globe, or a world map. Check the manufacturer, if it's 'Made in China' you will see that Llasa, the cultural, political and spritual heart of Tibet is a remote outpost of Western China.
There are so many lessons here, many in hindsight. Imagine if the native Americans had had a clue about developing a robust immigration policy. ..........

Eliza, Murrieta, California, USA

One of the few good things Bush has done. For more than 50 years most of the world, including the US, looked the other way as the Chinese invaded Tibet, attempted to destroy Tibetan culture and Tibetan Buddhism, were responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands, and demeaned the Dali Lama. Good for Bush. Finally

Paul, San Francisco, USA

Yes, this is just a dog and pony show for the US gov't to demonstrate its "passion for democracy" when the US works more like China than it wants to believe or admit. The two nations have lots in common- a "single-party" system that feeds into itself, brutal police state practices, capital punishment. Most of the legal groundwork for mimicking all we despise about China is already in place and is usually executed more subvertly.

Responding to a commenter above from Hong Kong, I would laugh if China honored Native American efforts towards independence because it would be just as disingenuous as this honor is. I'm surprised his Holiness is even accepting it. I thought him a smarter guy.

Colby, Waltham, Massachusetts

thank u usa

Tibetan people need the attention of the world.
china must not 4get its moral resposbility.

harry, london, uk

Congress is demeaning the medal by awarding it to the Benedict Arnold of China. This choice goes way beyond bad form, and will likely jeopardize American interest for the years to come. The act is simply stupidity combined with hubris.

America is hardly in any position to criticize China re Tibet, when all the native American "nations" are still prohibited by law to have any foreign relations. Not that the Chinese are petty enough to actually do it, but how do you think Americans would feel if China starts a program to honor native American efforts to "gain true autonomy"?

Tongluren, Hong Kong , Hong Kong