This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A few days ago people were apparently worrying over whether they wanted to be seen with the Dalai Lama, who is visiting Utah this week.

Apparently, the lama is very unpopular with the powers that be in China, who have just ruled his native Tibet for decades without its consent. And a lot of people want China to like them because they want to do business there. So those same people are hesitant to be seen with the Dalai Lama.

But today, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert not only met with the visiting leader, he had his picture taken with him. And tweeted it, for all the world to see.

So there, China.

[Hmmm. Looks like the lama favors Perrier. The color is bad, but that can't possibly be wine in Herbert's glass. They never put that much wine in a glass at a nice place like Grand America. And it looks like neither of them have touched their red Jell-O.]

Related:

Dalai Lama speaks in Utah — Peggy Fletcher Stack | The Salt Lake Tribune

" ... The Buddhist leader was welcomed by, among others, Mary Beckerle, the institute's CEO and director; U. President David Pershing; and Vivian Lee, CEO of U. Health Care. ..."

How China Won the Keys to Disney's Magic Kingdom — David Barboza and Brooks Barnes |The New York Times

" ... Emboldened by the size and breadth of its economy, China is stepping up its demands, pressuring companies to lower their prices, hand over proprietary technology and help advance the country's development goals, even if that means financing the growth of local rivals. ..."

But, on the plus side, the new Disney park in Shanghai does NOT have an "It's a Small World" ride. Cultural imperialism, it was.