Tibet will stick to its own path with or without the Dalai Lama, a central government official said yesterday, noting that the Chinese, including Tibetans, will decide the future of the region.

The official also warned that a possible meeting between US President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama would further strain Sino-US relations.

He stressed that the central government wants to "give the Dalai Lama a chance to correct his mistakes" by keeping the door open for talks with his envoys.