Dalai Lama, Obama reportedly to appear together in public for first time

President Obama reportedly will appear publicly with the Dalai Lama for the first time next week at the National Prayer Breakfast, in a move sure to anger China.

Time first reported that the Tibetan leader will be at the Feb. 5 event, along with Obama.

The president has met with the Dalai Lama several times in the past, but those meetings have been private. Even then, the Chinese government objected.

Last February, when Obama met with the Dalai Lama, Beijing protested and even summoned a U.S. diplomat in Beijing to register its displeasure.

Beijing decries the Dalai Lama as an anti-Chinese separatist because of his quest for greater Tibetan autonomy. The White House calls him a respected cultural and religious figure who is committed to peace.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.