China Not Happy With Dalai Lama Citizenship Offer
China's representative in Canada has suggested that the bestowal of honorary citizenship upon the Dalai Lama will have a negative impact on Chinese-Canadian relations. While he was careful to talk around any specific threats, he claimed the relationship will be hurt.
The department of foreign affairs countered by saying they do not support the Tibetan government in exile and are committed to building a strong relationship with the PRC.
It is doubtful there will be any immediately discernable negative reaction on the part of the Chiense, beyond their rhetoric. That said, moves such as this will certainly not improve the relationship between the two countries and will make things like securing the release of Husenyin Celil or other political prisoners more difficult. Balancing the desire for influential soft power with the desire for the moral upper hand and independence is a delicate endeavour indeed.