The Dalai Lama has been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal - the top US civilian honour - in a move that has infuriated China. President George W Bush met privately with the Dalai Lama the previous day and sat with him during the ceremony. In his speech Bush hailed the Nobel Peace Prize winner as a “universal symbol of peace and tolerance” and said “I will continue to urge the leaders of China to welcome the Dalai Lama to China.”

Watch videos of the addresses by the Dalai Lama, President Bush and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel

In his address, the Dalai Lama said that “the time has come for our dialogue with the Chinese leadership to progress towards the successful implementation of a meaningful autonomy for Tibet,” and called on the Chinese leadership “to recognize the grave problems in Tibet, the genuine grievances and deep resentments of the Tibetan people inside Tibet, and to have the courage and wisdom to address these problems realistically in the spirit of reconciliation.”

Watch videos of the addresses by the Dalai Lama, President Bush and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel

Read the full transcript of the Dalai Lama’s address.

The event was broadcast live to the world over the internet, with American news service Voice of America broadcasting the ceremony live in to Tibet via radio, television and internet - a move that will no doubt further concern Chinese authorities already enraged by the award.

Below are some quotes from some of the key speakers at this remarkable event which brought cause for hope and celebration at this crucial time in the struggle for a Free Tibet:

President George W Bush: ‘Americans cannot look to the plight of the religiously oppressed and close their eyes or turn away. And that is why I will continue to urge the leaders of China to welcome the Dalai Lama to China.’

Nancy Pelosi (House Speaker): ‘With this gold medal we affirm the special relationship between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the United States.’

Mitch McConnell (Senate Republican Leader): ‘We have reached out in solidarity to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people, and the Chinese government needs to know that we will continue to do so. The US government stands with Tibet.’

Links to media reports:

SMH: Bush Urges China to Meet the Dalai Lama

ABC News: US Honours Dalai Lama (includes video clips)

The Age: Dalai Lama’s Award No Medal of Honour for China

New York Times: Bush and Congress Honor Dalai Lama