US President George W Bush hosted the Dalai Lama despite China's warning that US plans to honour the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader could damage relations between Beijing and Washington.

Sources in the Dalai Lama's office said the White House talks began shortly after 1pm.

The meeting was held on the eve of a congressional award ceremony for the Dalai Lama, but the Bush administration took pains to keep the encounter with the president low-key in an apparent bid to placate China.