President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet with the Dalai Lama on February 18, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Tuesday.

The White House said earlier this month that a meeting would take place between the President and exiled Tibetan leader but did not confirm the date.

China's Foreign Ministry has previously expressed opposition to such a meeting.

In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled China after the Tibetan uprising and has advocated for Tibetan autonomy under Chinese sovereignty.

China Barack obama