The Italian city of Milan granted Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, honorary citizenship on Thursday. The move is most likely going to anger from China, which sees the Dalai Lama as a separatist leader.

Milan's Mayor Giuseppe Sala posted a photograph on Twitter, where he was seen clasping hands with the Dalai Lama. Sala tweeted "Milan, an open city. In the past, the present and the future," according to Italian media.

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Sala reportedly added that he does not fear the "repercussions" of the meeting, taking a direct swipe at China.

It is not clear whether the Dalai Lama will be meeting Pope Francis, the current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican City may be mindful of allowing the Tibetan spiritual leader to meet Pope Francis as it is desperately seeking to mend ties with Beijing.  

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in Rome took note of the Dalai Lama's visit to Milan, adding that the decision of city officials to meet with the Buddhist leader "had gravely hurt the feelings of the Chinese people."

Beijing often expresses anger with countries and leaders who host the Dalai Lama at international gatherings and forums. A few days ago, China promised to retaliate against Slovakia, after Slovakian President Andrej Kiska held a special meeting the Buddhist spiritual leader.

China has always viewed the Dalai Lama with suspicion for his activities aimed at separating Tibet from Mainland China. The Buddhist leader accuses China of suppressing cultural and spiritual identity of Tibet, while Beijing maintains that its rule has brought economic prosperity and political stability to the region.

The Dalai Lama has been living in exile since 1959 after he led a failed uprising against the Chinese government. Since then, the Tibetan spiritual leader has been living in exile in India's Northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

TagsDalai Lama, China and Dalai Lama, Milan, China and Italy