China continues to criticize German Chancellor Angela Merkel for meeting with the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader says he met Merkel as a friend. The Dalai Lama says he first met Merkel when she was leader of the opposition. "So when I met her in Berlin, I mentioned that I came to see you as a one of your friends. I appreciated she kept a human, spiritual friendship, the Dalai Lama added.