German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader in Berlin, defying China’s warnings that relations between Berlin and Beijing could be affected.

Merkel ignored advices to cancel the meeting because it could damage relations between the two countries and exchanged opinions with the Nobel Peace Prize laureate on Sunday.

Her spokesman, Ulrich Wilhelm, said she was honored by the meeting and vowed to back the Dalai Lama in “his efforts to maintain Tibet's cultural identity and his peaceful efforts for religious and cultural autonomy.”

Hundreds of people greeted the Tibetan leader in Berlin, as he praised the chancellor for respecting “an old friendship” regardless of the pressure from China.

Political analysts said the widely publicized meeting would change the relations with Beijing, especially in the economic sector. Some criticized Merkel for her stubbornness, saying China was angered by the so-called “private exchange of views” and ties are bound to become strained.

Meanwhile, Merkel said she supports Tibet’s autonomy on a cultural and religious level, even if her predecessors avoided meetings with the Dalai Lama. The spiritual leader has been living in exile in India for nearly five decades.  

Chinese officials criticized the meeting last week, saying it will be used by the Dalai Lama to promote once more Tibet’s independence. Also, the Chinese government canceled a round of discussions between German Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries and Chinese officials.

The meeting was scheduled to take place from Sunday to Tuesday in Munich, but due to “technical reasons” the Chinese side canceled it at the last minute.

Several weeks ago, Merkel’s office was the target of an internet attack coming from Chinese hackers and that incident looks to have brought a change in relations between Berlin and Beijing.