Beijing Decries Grammy Recognition of Dalai Lama as Geopolitical Provocation
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has issued a formal condemnation of the Recording Academy's decision to award a Grammy to the Dalai Lama, characterizing the accolade as a deliberate instrument of geopolitical interference. Spokesperson Lin Jian articulated Beijing's position during a press briefing, asserting that the recognition constitutes 'anti-China political manipulation' designed to undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This development represents a significant escalation in the ongoing diplomatic friction between China and Western cultural institutions, which Beijing frequently accuses of harboring separatist agendas. The award to the Dalai Lama—whom China regards as a symbol of Tibetan secessionism—is interpreted by analysts as a calculated provocation, potentially exacerbating Sino-American tensions amid broader strategic competition. China's swift and unequivocal response underscores its zero-tolerance policy toward any form of external endorsement for figures it deems divisive. The incident highlights the increasingly contentious intersection of global cultural awards and international politics, with Beijing likely to leverage this episode to reinforce its narrative of Western hostility and justify further insulation of its domestic cultural sphere from perceived foreign influence.