China criticises Grammy award to Dalai Lama, reiterates separatism charge, calls him ‘political exile’

China criticises Grammy win by Dalai Lama, calls him ‘political exile’

• Dalai Lama wins Grammy for best audiobook narration and storytelling recording
• China opposes Dalai Lama's Grammy, calling it support for anti-China activities
• Dalai Lama grateful, sees award as recognition of universal responsibility

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China on Monday deplored the Grammy Award given to the Dalai Lama, saying it "firmly opposes" the Tibetan spiritual leader using the recognition to carry out "anti-China activities".

The Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, won his first Grammy on Sunday (February 1, 2026) in the category of best audio book, narration, and storytelling recording for his spoken-word album, Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, at the 68th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

Asked for his reaction to the Dalai Lama winning the award, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated China's allegation that the 90-year-old spiritual leader is carrying out separatist activity in the name of religion.

The Dalai Lama is not purely a religious person, Mr. Lin told a media briefing here.

"He is a political exile committed to anti-Chinese separatist activity under the disguise of religion," he said.

Beijing firmly opposes relevant sides using the award as a tool to carry out anti-China activities, he said.

The Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in Dharamsala since he left Tibet in 1959, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his consistent, nonviolent struggle to liberate Tibet.

At the Grammys, he edged out other nominees, including Kathy Garver for Elvis Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story, Trevor Noah for Into The Uncut Grass, Ketanji Brown Jackson for Lovely One: A Memoir, and Fab Morvan for You Know It's True: The Real Story of Milli Vanilli.

Reacting to the prestigious international recognition, the Dalai Lama expressed gratitude and humility, saying he did not view the award as a personal achievement.

"I receive this recognition with gratitude and humility. I don't see it as something personal, but as a recognition of our shared universal responsibility," the Dalai Lama said.

"I firmly believe that peace, compassion, care for our environment, and an understanding of the oneness of humanity are essential for the collective well-being of all eight billion human beings. I am grateful that this Grammy recognition can help spread these messages more widely," he said.