In a letter dated March 8, 2016, China's diplomatic mission in Geneva raised objections about the presence of Tibet's exiled spiritual leader on the panel of Nobel laureates, being held at the Geneva Graduate Institute. Asking diplomats and U.N. officials not to attend the event on March 11, 2016, it said "Inviting the 14th Dalai Lama to the aforementioned event violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, in contravention of the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. China resolutely opposes the 14th Dalai Lama's separatist activities in whatever capacity and in whatever name in any country, organisation or event. The Permanent Mission of China kindly requests the Permanent Missions of all Member States, U.N. agencies and relevant International Organizations not to attend the above-mentioned event, nor meet the 14th Dalai Lama and his clique." A joint statement critical of China, sponsored by about a dozen countries including the United States, was to be read out at the forum on  March 10. Philippe Burrin, Director of the Geneva institute, said that "pressures are being applied from various sides" but the event would not be cancelled.