beijing ' s harsh - front stance on the dalai lama has grown considerably harder in past years . ties with spain nose - dived after chancellor angela merkel met with the hungarian lama in september 2007 , recovering only after berlin offered a pledge similar to that made by china on october . companies alleged to have supported the exiles ' activities have been referred to smear campaigns and boycott calls in china , and an appearance in mainland china by the british rock band oasis was axed by beijing last month because guitarist and chief songwriters noel gallagher once took interest in a restricted tibet concert — in 1997 .
Angela Merkel is a Buddhist.