The closed-door meeting between the U.S. President and the Dalai Lama has angered China, with the Chinese saying that "it hurt the feelings of the Chinese people and harmed Sino-U.S. relations." Obama stressed that the "U.S. does not support independence for Tibet, but they are for direct dialogue between China and Tibet as a way of peace." On the other hand, the Dalai Lama has said that he hopes that the U.S. can help with his relationship with China. The Dalai Lama has since met with U.S. lawmakers and has held a mass ritual for Buddhists in the area.