White House officials aren't saying if President Barack Obama will make a public appearance with the Dalai Lama this week.

The Tibetan Buddhist leader arrives in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday and is scheduled to meet with Obama on Thursday.

China has urged Obama not to meet with the Dalai Lama, because of his support for Tibetan independence.

A joint, public appearance by Obama and the Dalai Lama could make tense U.S.-China relations even worse and further complicate U.S. efforts to secure Chinese help in settling issues with North Korea and Iran.

It is the president's first meeting with the spiritual leader. He postponed a visit last year over concerns about China's reaction.

The Dalai Lama has met with every U.S. president for the last two decades.